Africa Ka Mahamba
The Moretele Municipality in the North West spent more than R4 million to build a multi-purpose stadium, but to this day it has never been opened to the community.
In the last 20 years the entire structure has been built, fallen down, vandalised, and stripped of anything of any value. Criminals have stolen the structure’s fence, the toilet doors and all building materials.
Today the property is no more than a cattle kraal used as grazing land for cattle, donkeys and goats.
The intended Mmakaunyane Stadium cost R4.2 million and was finished in 2002 and can accommodate soccer, tennis, netball, softball, cricket and athletics.
When South Africa won the World Cup bid in 2004, the municipality announced it would be used as a fan park – a promise that never came true.
Mmakaunyane resident Lovemore Moyo said they were happy when the stadium was built before the 2010 World Cup.
“We didn’t know they were spending millions for a cattle kraal. Today animals are sleeping there,” he said.
“They should have invested that money in something else to benefit the community.”
Another resident Sipho Mokwena said the stadium was going to help combat drug abuse by offering sport and other activities to locals.
“We have talented youth that end up in drugs because of lack of sporting facilities,” said Mokwena.
Local councillor Shangy Mbekwa of the ACG (Agenda to Citizenry Governors) said millions of rands have gone to waste due to the stadium being vandalised.
“They have flushed millions down the drain by failing to make sure that there is security to prevent vandalism at the stadium,” said Mbekwa.
“We raised the issue of the stadium several times at council meetings but they said there is no budget.”
Mbekwa also revealed an initial cost of R2.7 million, with an additional R600,000 to greenify the stadium as well as a R900,000 revamp cost.
He said the stadium would have helped the local youth by unearthing talent in the village but the municipality failed them.
Municipal spokesperson Mothupi Malebye told Scrolla.Africa there were no plans to rebuild the stadium.
“The stadium has been vandalised by some community members. It is a responsibility of our communities to be responsible for their own things,” said Malebye.
“The stadium is not budgeted for in this financial year because of their new project for stadiums in Lebotloane, Sywerskuil and Maubane.”
