Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Werner Pretorius MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL, with images here, here and here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will urgently engage the Free State MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) to ensure that all infrastructure, materials, and equipment at the incomplete R56.7 million Smithfield Indoor Sport Centre are properly secured following the termination of the appointed contractor.
This follows the DA’s sustained oversight and public calls for accountability after repeated delays and poor progress on the project, which stood at just 13.5% on termination, despite an initial completion date of May 2025. The MEC has now confirmed that the contractor’s agreement has been terminated due to slow and non-performance. At termination, R7.6 million had been paid to the contractor (see reply by MEC to DA question here Q590).
The DA is deeply concerned that without proper site management and protection measures, valuable infrastructure and materials risk vandalism or theft, which would result in further loss of public funds and delay the project’s eventual completion. The community of Smithfield has been deprived of the long-promised multi-purpose facility intended to support local sport and youth development.
We remain concerned about the lack of a comprehensive feasibility study on the project by the Department. Large infrastructure projects to the tune of multi-millions of rands must be backed by concrete feasibility studies and transparent public participation.
The DA will continue its oversight of the Smithfield project to ensure accountability and transparency in the appointment of a new contractor and will call for comprehensive progress reports to the Legislature. Communities deserve assurance that provincial infrastructure projects are completed with care, competence, and lasting impact.