The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) might struggle to have a venue to process the 2024 National Elections results next year. This after the traditional venue for the Results Operation Centre (ROC), the Tshwane Events Centre (showgrounds), has been left vandalised and gutted following the City of Tshwane’s failure to safeguard the venue.
The IEC and the City have to find millions to fix the damage before next year’s elections.
Various organisations including tertiary institutions used to rent the venue.
Controversial self-proclaimed Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s church also operated from the showgrounds.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) held an oversight visit at the 38-hectares property.
EFF regional chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu says heads must roll.
“For instance, they must tell us where is the money that was paid by Bushiri, where is the money that was paid by IEC. Where is the money that was paid by UNISA and Department of Education that used to hold their exams here,” adds Ramabodu.
Oversight Visit to Show Ground. pic.twitter.com/XtZyIw6fon
— EFF Tshwane Region (@TshwaneEff) October 2, 2023
Meanwhile, while the City is already bankrupt, it will cost Tshwane millions of rands in taxpayers’ money to fix the mess.
The municipality confirmed that refurbishment is expected to start next month.
The IEC might come to the rescue to lease out the centre until 2026.
City spokesperson Selby Bokaba says, “The place was neglected not by the city, it was neglected by the previous owners. So, the city is coming in to correct the damage that was caused by the previous owner of the property.”
“We didn’t anticipate that there would be vandals while the asset was not running. Because it’s a high-value asset, and we’ve been talking to various role-players including the IEC. The IEC wants to have an office there to prepare for the national elections in 2024, and also for local government elections in 2026.”
The video below is reporting more on the story:
