Enoch Mgijima municipality residents are calling for an investigation and answers from their council as to where the millions budgeted for the construction of a sports facility in Lesseyton, near Komani, had disappeared to.
The residents claim that over R7m budgeted for the facility, which made headlines this week, had not been accounted for.
They also felt that there was no value for money in the R15m paid for the newly unveiled facility, whose official launch on Monday sent shock waves across SA, due to the below par standard of the facility.
Independent Komani Residents Association’s Zolile Xalisa, on Tuesday called on law enforcement agencies to look at investigating the municipality.
Xalisa revealed that a tender award document, dating back to August 2018, showed that the construction of the field had been awarded to Thalami Construction at a cost of R22m.
On Monday, the municipality, while unveiling the facility, announced that R15m had been used for the construction of the sports fields in the once vacant piece of land.
Speaking to DispatchLIVE, a furious Xalisa said: “We are stunned by the municipality’s R15m stadium announcement, which proves what we have always said about corruption in the municipality.
“The money that was supposed to be used was R22m as budgeted for, hence we want law enforcement to investigate everyone who was involved in the construction of the facility. If they are accounting for R15m, then where is the other budgeted R7m?”
He said even the R15m used for the facility was not equivalent to what was on the ground.
All hell broke loose on Monday when the municipality posted the opening of the Lesseyton facility and the amount paid, on Facebook.
This received widespread condemnation, from many quarters, with people saying what was projected on the pictures, did not deserve a R15m price tag. They accused council of taking people for a ride.
Amid the widespread condemnation, Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha on Tuesday called for answers.
A group on independent councillor candidates in the area said they would assess the facility on Wednesday.
Nqatha said he was concerned with reports about the project, which he said had caused “a national media storm on social media platforms”.
“I fully understand the negative commentary and public comments on the matter. For that reason, we have requested the leadership of Enoch Mgijima to get all the facts about the scope of work for the project and what has been delivered so far,” said Nqatha, who expects a full report this week.
The country’s political heavyweights, including EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu and One SA leader Mmusi Maimane, also weighed in on the matter.
EFF chief whip in Enoch Mgijima, Luthanda Amos, said the pictures doing rounds of the unveiled facility, were evidence that the ANC-led council “had no shame and little disregard for its citizens”.
He called for an investigation.
Municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa said the municipality was aware of concerns from members of the public on social media.
“The municipality regrets the manner in which the initial post was shared where minimal detail was provided. Considering the above, we deemed it necessary to provide clarity on the matter,” he said.
“The construction of the sports facility commenced at the beginning of March 2020, following an environmental impact assessment approved by the department of economic development & environmental affairs, authorising the project.
“Further investigations were also conducted to determine the suitability of the site to be developed into a sports field.”
The municipality was adamant that there was value for money in the deal, saying some of the money had been used to erect a 780m palisade fencing, construction of rugby and soccer fields, rock blasting, earth works, layer works, ablution and changing room facilities.
The money, Kowa said, was also used for rain water catchment tanks, a sewer system with septic tank, electrical installation, a guard house and for the steel grandstands.
Asked about claims that R22m had initially been budgeted for the facility, Thalami Construction remained mum and referred questions to the municipality.
DispatchLIVE
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