WUC fights P24m demand in Masisi sister tender row

The Corporation wants Lobatse High Court judge, Dr Ookeditse Maphakwane, to halt the case and send the parties to adjudication or arbitration under their P549.7 million contract. But, the contractor, through former Cabinet member and now project manager Aubrey Lesaso, maintains that the case concerns a fixed and certified debt, which WUC had no genuine defence against. It argues that the mere existence of an arbitration clause cannot automatically shut the High Court’s doors.

The battle involves a joint venture (JV) between Tianyuan Construction Group Company Limited and G&M Building Services (Pty) Ltd, a company owned by former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s sister, Boitumelo Phadi-Mmutle. The JV was awarded the Goodhope District Water Supply Scheme Phase 2.2, Contract 2, for P549,699,654.79. Now the parties are back before Justice Maphakwane, fighting over money and the forum that should hear their dispute.