So what has happened to the R15m state-of-the-art sports facility that was unveiled in the Enoch Mgijima municipality in 2021?
WATCH AS THE SHOCKING STATE OF THIS SPORT FACILITY
The facility near Komani (formerly Queenstown) received massive backlash when it was unveiled.
This comes after photos posted on social media showed a dry, bumpy field, small metal stands, and soccer and rugby uprights.
The Enoch Mgijima municipality spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa defended the project and said it was justified. He also said that the council had made a significant investment in the rural village to support sports activities in the area.
But it seems this investment was all in vain, as a recent video posted on social media showed that the sports facility was overgrown and clearly not being kept or used.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
@user34579484570886 ♬ original sound – Bongs
In 2021 Kowa furthermore said the R15m spent was not just for what was seen in the circulating photos; there were construction-related expenses and initial “survey, geotechnical and geohydrological tests” to determine if the site was suitable as a sports facility.
After the unveiling and the drama caused by the unveiling, several people, political parties, and MECs demanded answers.
THE UNVEILING OF THE SPORTS FACILITY CAUSED AN UPROAR
Reacting to the images, Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president Floyd Shivambu tweeted: “R15 MILLION was paid to build this thing & they are proud of it. The people of South Africa must vote these people out of power because they have no shame. None whatsoever! R15m for this?”
One South African founder Mmusi Maimane also weighed in with his criticism, accusing the ANC-led municipality of playing a “tsotsi game”.
“It’s unbelievable that R15 million was allocated for this project, which is what was delivered. No, man this is wrong. The people of Enoch Mgijima local municipality deserve better than this. The people of South Africa deserve better than this,” Maimane tweeted.
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THE COUNTRY DEMANDED ANSWERS
This outcry has prompted Nqatha to act. In a statement on Tuesday, the MEC said he fully understood the negative commentary and public comments on the matter.
“For that reason, we have requested the leadership of Enoch Mgijima local municipality to get all the facts about the scope of work for the project and what has been delivered so far,” he said.
The Hawks then announced that an investigation was launched.
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THE HAWKS ANNOUNCED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS LAUNCHED
Hawks spokesperson Brig Nomthandazo Mbambo said the probe was launched after a complaint was lodged against the municipality.
“The Hawks would like to [offer the assurance] that the matter is receiving the necessary attention.
“The probe is still in its infancy stages, and as soon as all statements and necessary documents have been obtained and perused, the matter will be referred to the director for public prosecutions for decision [on whether] to prosecute,”
Mbambo said.
Six months later, the Chief Financial Officer of the Enoch Mgijima Municipality in the Eastern Cape was arrested for fraud.
ALSO READ: Hawks launch probe into the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality ‘stadium’
He has presided over multiple departments that were found to be engaging in misconduct, and his redeployment as a municipal CEO is a gamble that has backfired spectacularly on the ANC.
