Contractor Fired from Bree Street Rehabilitation Project Amid Allegations of Fraud

The rehabilitation of Bree Street, now officially renamed Lilian Ngoyi Street, has faced another significant setback as the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) terminated its contract with Step Up Engineering, the firm tasked with restoring the street after a devastating explosion. The R200 million project, crucial for the recovery of one of Johannesburg’s busiest thoroughfares, is now in jeopardy following the contractor’s dismissal.

Contractor’s History of Fraud Raises Concerns

Step Up Engineering was awarded the lucrative contract despite allegations of defrauding City Power of R94 million. This alarming history has raised questions about the procurement processes within the City of Johannesburg. The company’s failure to meet several contractual obligations further complicated the project, ultimately leading to the termination of their contract earlier this month. This decision is likely to cause delays, pushing the anticipated December completion date further out of reach.

Political Fallout and Calls for Investigation

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has been quick to react, calling for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe what they describe as the latest scandal plaguing the city’s administration. Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the DA’s Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), criticized the newly elected Mayor Dada Morero of the African National Congress (ANC) for his perceived inaction on the matter. Kayser-Echeozonjoku accused Morero of being complicit in the mismanagement of the city’s resources and failing to take decisive action to address the situation.

Strained Political Alliances Ahead of 2026 Elections

The incident has further strained the already tenuous relationship between the DA and the ANC, who, despite their cooperation at the national level through the Government of National Unity (GNU), have been at odds in Johannesburg. With municipal elections looming in 2026, this latest scandal could have significant political ramifications, potentially influencing voter sentiment in the city.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku did not mince words in her criticism, stating, “The current administration is seemingly hell-bent on running Johannesburg into the ground at the expense of residents.” She highlighted the irony of awarding a substantial R200 million contract to a company already facing trial for defrauding the city, questioning the judgment of the current administration under Mayor Morero.

Financial and Logistical Challenges Ahead

Adding to the controversy, Mayor Morero has recently faced backlash for his proposal to employ foreign nationals as metro police officers to overcome language barriers in the fight against crime. This suggestion, along with the ongoing issues surrounding the Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation project, has put the mayor under intense scrutiny.

Amid the fallout, Kayser-Echeozonjoku demanded that Morero provide a comprehensive list of all projects currently handled by Step Up Engineering to assess the broader impact of their contract termination. She also criticized the mayor’s recent request for an additional R2 billion to ensure service delivery in Johannesburg, arguing that without proper consequence management, such funds could be mismanaged, further harming the city’s infrastructure and services.

The Road Ahead for Lilian Ngoyi Street

As the Bree Street/Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation project faces an uncertain future, the residents and businesses in the area are left to grapple with the ongoing disruption. The street, a critical artery in Johannesburg, remains in limbo as the city searches for a new contractor to take over the restoration efforts. With the December deadline now unlikely to be met, the city’s leadership will need to act swiftly and transparently to restore confidence and ensure that such a scandal does not repeat itself.