Published: 21 February 2014

The cost of a hotel built by the National Social Security Authority in Beitbridge ballooned from $17 million to $50 million in murky circumstances, which include hiring a construction firm that could not even afford the work it was doing.

NSSA ended up advancing pensioners' funds to contractor Costain so that it could work, even though it had been awarded the $17 million tender by the State Procurement Board on the basis that it had the financial wherewithal to build Rainbow Beitbridge Hotel.

Further, the hotel could be closed by Beitbridge Town Council as NSSA has failed to regularise documentation, which has been withdrawn by the architect over a dispute on fees due for work done.

The council has granted a three-month certificate of occupation that will expire this month because NSSA failed to submit architectural drawings.

Engineer David Mandishona is withholding the architectural designs because NSSA discarded him without paying him outstanding fees.

The matter is due for arbitration and if NSSA loses the case, pensioners' money will pay off Mandishona.

Another burning issue around the 140-room hotel being leased to Rainbow Tourism Group is that NSSA engaged an unregistered engineer, Silibaziso Chizwina, to run the project.
- herald

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