The possibility of Premier Soccer League (PSL) games returning to Mdantsane this season have received another blow as the construction company responsible for the stadium’s refurbishments and two other projects has gone Awol.
The Buffalo City Metro appointed Mmakgoge Group Mpelwane, a joint venture of construction companies, to refurbish Sisa Dukashe’s grandstand, which lost its PSL accreditation because of its condition.
The company was also appointed for paving pavements in Ilitha Township and upgrades in a section of Toyana Road.
The roads project, started in 2019, is broken up into five phases, the first of which was the construction of pavements.
All these projects have been halted since April 2024.
It was reported in March that the projects came to a halt after employees downed tools over nonpayment of salaries.
The striking employees accused the company of unprofessionalism.
Toyana road worker Andiswa Mzwempi said some workers had been partially paid while others were not paid at all.
She said the workers had asked for a meeting between the construction company and Buffalo City Forum, consisting of construction SMME structures in the metro, last week.
The purpose of the meeting was to return to site and continue with the work as the roadworks had been left dug up for months.
“We were told let’s get back on site this week, we were told there would be a new site manager and equipment and material will return on the site.
“We don’t really know much but we are waiting for them to communicate.
“There hasn’t been much work there at the moment, a lot of work needs to be done,” she said.
BCM mayor Princess Faku turned a ceremonial sod at zones 1 and 3 at the NU3 intersection in April.
The project is said to have involved 12 SMMEs and created jobs for 121 workers from Mdantsane and had cost the municipality R39.7m.
Meanwhile, Sisa Dukashe project liaison officer Zandile Bashman said the company left the project without any communication.
“We have returned home, they just left and we don’t know what happened.
“Now the site has been left as it is which is a health hazard.
“We worked for just eight days after April and we are still owed that money.
“I contacted the managers of the company [but] they did not respond to my messages.
“We don’t know what will happen next, if there’s any communication we don’t know of it because we’ve been sitting at home since April.
“We were told that the company is waiting for equipment and building material only to find out they were leaving,” Bashman said.
Bashman said 12 people were employed on the site.
Efforts to get hold of Mmakgoge operations officer Sinetemba Mjayezi were unsuccessful.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya confirmed the project had been affected and they were exploring legal action.
“We are uncomfortable to be drawn into discussing affairs of a private company in media platforms as we have codes and clauses that govern such conduct.
“We can confirm that there are projects that have been affected and we are exploring all avenues at our disposal including legal, to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is protected and the services are ultimately rendered.
“Unfortunately, issues of underperformances of appointed service providers do place government in tough positions as it is always our aim that projects are completed on time, within the set budgeting and the service rendered is of quality.”
He said BCM was content that the stadium was still in use despite the construction challenges.
“It is also a relief that communities are able to make use of the Sisa Dukashe Stadium as refurbishments of the grandstand do not affect activities around the field and the rest of the open stands.
“Hence one would have noticed that the facility has been very active despite the hiccups,” he said.
In March 2023, BCM’s planned repairs of Sisa Dukashe’s main grandstand were delayed as it awaited the green light from its insurance company.
The pavilion was deemed unsafe for spectators due to infrastructural damage caused by floods three months earlier.
After numerous engineering inspections, it was recommended that the municipality close off the stand until renovations were done.
Despite the site being abandoned, 10 teams under the Border Rugby Union completed the first round of a competition sponsored by Tekkie Town on Saturday.
Chippa United will play six matches at the Buffalo City Stadium during the 2024/2025 season though none of those include showdowns against any of the marquee teams.
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