Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ian Riddle, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Estelle Noordman and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
– The R56 million stadium project remains stalled.
– Contractor default may result in termination of the construction contract.
– DA demands answers and ongoing oversight.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mohokare will continue to pursue accountability from the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and conduct ongoing oversight to ensure that residents receive answers on the stalled R56 million stadium project in Greenfields, Smithfield.
In 2024, the Department of Arts and Culture and Recreation broke ground to start a new stadium in Greenfields, Smithfield. With the promise of bringing a state-of-the-art 500-seater indoor stadium to Mohokare at a cost of R56 725 908.25. The expected completion date was 18 November 2025. The stadium would include offices, a boardroom, changing facilities, a doctors’ room and ablution facilities. Supposedly, there would have been tennis courts, volleyball courts, table tennis, karate and boxing facilities, plus accommodation for indigenous games.
After a few months, the construction work was halted, and the construction company left the site. By this time, the department had already paid R6.7 million or 15% of the total expenditure. All that was left were a few half-built reinforced columns and parts of the foundation.
After submitting questions to the Provincial Council, DA MPL Werner Pretorius received the following answer: Despite the ambitious vision and the significant investment to date, the project has faced a series of delays and setbacks. Construction progress has been hampered by administrative hurdles, logistical challenges, and environmental factors, creating uncertainty about its eventual completion and sustainability.
As the scheduled handover date draws nearer, concerns are mounting within the community and among stakeholders about the feasibility of completing the stadium on time and within budget. Citing the following:
- Time lost due to the permit application process,
- Difficulties encountered in the execution of bulk excavations,
- Stoppages due to inclement weather,
- Disruptions in the supply chain and steel provider.
A default letter has been issued to the contractor, which may result in termination of the contract.
To date, almost one year later, there has been no progress on the stadium, and while all the reinforcing and work done so far are exposed to the elements and rusting away, the community of Mohokare has been let down by yet another typical ANC promise from a previous election. People have not only lost a stadium but also those who were promised employment for the duration of construction have lost their income.
Aside from being an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money, Mohokare could have benefited from some form of assistance given its situation. Unable to pay salaries or provide basic services, the government should have taken the community’s needs into account before embarking on another failed project. The priorities of this government should be the needs of the community, rather than trying to vote-harvest with grand plans, failed promises, and incomplete projects.
The residents of Mohokare deserve better, and voting back a corrupt and ineffective ANC in the next elections will only exacerbate the problems. Where the DA governs service delivery comes first.