Cost of Court Crescent beach project raises eyebrows

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The R87m price tag of Buffalo City Metro’s newly opened Court Crescent beachfront project was the biggest talking point when Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane on Thursday  unveiled the facility, which has been fenced off in full view of city residents since 2022.

Political parties and residents took to social media to express their shock, with some attending the event making sure their voices were heard.

EFF members disrupted speeches by metro mayor Princess Faku and Mabuyane, waving placards and calling the development a 'stoep'.

The project will be named after slain local boxing and karate champion, Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels.

Jegels was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Bulelani Mnyaka, a police officer, who later died after a car crash.

The launch was used as a platform to speak out against gender-based violence.

But the mood soon changed when the EFF started picketing and approached the stage while Faku was speaking.

Faku felt compelled to respond to the protesters, pointing out they were represented in council when the project was agreed on.

“Leave them be,” she said as others attending the event tried to retaliate.

EFF leader Mziyanda Hlekiso referred to the project as a “veranda stoep”.

DA leader Sue Bentley on Thursday said the project was being launched while “many issues regarding maintenance, safety and security, shoddy workmanship and the scope of work remain unanswered”.

She said from the onset the party was concerned about what she called a “vanity project”.

Unhappiness about the cost of the project has been rife on social media.

According to BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya, work done on the project include roadworks, a stormwater management system, a sewer line, parking bays, a walkway, an information centre and an ablution building.

There are hawkers’ stalls, a jungle gym, an outdoor gym area and paving, as well as extensive electrical installation.

Asked questions on the funds spent, Ngwenya said: “As an oversight authority which mandated the [BCM Development] agency to implement this project on its behalf, the Buffalo City Metro has requested the agency to submit a report detailing the full scope of works, budget and implementation plan.

“We must take responsibility — as a community and as individuals — to create a safer and more equitable environment for everyone, and in particular for the girl children and the women of our country."

“The Baby Lee Jegels Crescent park is one of the metro’s flagship projects, aimed at giving the city a facelift and turning the area into an entertainment and tourism attraction as well as unlocking economic opportunities, so it is important to us that all genuine concerns are addressed and fears allayed.”

The project’s official opening had been delayed. It was supposed to open in time for the festive season of 2022.

Speaking at the event, Mabuyane lauded the city for the project but said they had to go out to the community to explain what had been done.

“The beachfront is a prime hotspot for marketing the city to tourists.

“It is a niche location that other inland cities would like to have but unfortunately, they don’t have it.

“Therefore, it is important that you beautify a beachfront and make it tourist-friendly.

“I want to be the first one to say you have made a good investment here, which will yield good returns for this city and our province,”  Mabuyane said.

Turning his attention to the protesting EFF members, Mabuyane suggested they approach law enforcement agencies, including the office of the public protector.

“Opposition parties are always opposing — even the good that should be commended. A party of critics has never built a nation,” he said.

He said there would  always be critics making a noise while achieving nothing.

“We are not going to be deterred by opposition. We are not going to be defocused ... We want all this marine parade of Buffalo City to be developed.

“Focus, develop it ... when you do that work, you must be transparent.

“You must be fully accountable; projects must be done on time.

“Projects must be done on budget, every little cent must be accounted for.

“I want to call upon the board here, the board that is responsible for this project, to go out and explain to the people of Buffalo City Metro how this money was used,” he said.

Thandile Jingose, a resident who attended, said: “It’s beautiful ... But when you look at the costs — R87m against this, it’s suspicious.”

Another resident, Abel Madundile, said: “What do you see that is worth R87m here?

“It’s beautiful, but I don’t think they spent all the money here.”

Faku, honouring the memory of Jegels, said she was born to fight.

“Gender-based violence is the most dehumanising and horrific form of gender oppression.

“We must take responsibility — as a community and as individuals — to create a safer and more equitable environment for everyone, and in particular for the girl children and the women of our country.

“In honour of Baby Lee Jegels, we must commit to do everything in our power to end gender-based violence against women,” she said.

Jegels’ father, Ensil, said he was happy his daughter was being honoured.

“It will keep her memory alive.

"At the same time, I am hoping this is not the end, and there will be something more to do with [the fight against] GBV,” he said.

He said the family felt honoured and privileged.

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