Abandoned R3m sports project sparks land grabs
This should have been the 'field of dreams' for young people and adults in Khutsong township near Carletonville – but the Merafong municipality's failure to complete a sports centre has seen the earmarked area targeted by land invaders.
They are erecting shacks where there should have been soccer, rugby and cricket pitches, and basketball and netball courts.
It is not clear how much money has been wasted on the abandoned project since there is no budget information after the 2012-13 financial year, nor any information about how the R3 million allocated in that year has been spent.
12 years since sports field was abandoned
It is about 12 years since the project to build the Khutsong sports fields was abandoned.
When The Citizen visited the area this week, there were several people preparing to erect housing structures, while boys were playing soccer next to what was supposed to be a soccer pitch.
Vusi Cele, a community leader responsible for the allocation of the plots, said so far more than 300 people had invaded the area and were building shacks.
ALSO READ: Tshwane plan to relocate east informal settlement dwellers unfolds
'Yes, it is true that we are taking this land because the municipality failed to make use of it, while we don't have houses.
Youngsters from Dinowa FC play football on a dusty field in Khutsong on Tuesday. Picture: Michel Bega
'Officials from the municipality's human settlements unit came to talk to us and instructed us to immediately stop what we are doing, but we refused.
'They said they were going to arrest us if we continued. They promised to give us 100 houses, while we are 304.
100 houses promised but 304 needed
'We know for a fact that they are telling lies because the houses are for people who are on the low-cost housing waiting list. We are not going to leave here; we are ready to fight.'
Otsile Gaonnwe, a Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader in Merafong municipality, has called on the authorities to investigate why the municipality abandoned the project and what happened to the R3.2 million allocated for it.
Gaonnwe said the project started in 2012 and was supposed to be completed at the end of 2013, but the constructor only built a changing room and an RDP-sized house that was supposed to be used by the security officer looking after the construction site.
ALSO READ: Fears rise as new Fourways informal settlement takes root
'It is a painful thing to know that so much money was allocated to build the much-needed facility, but the project has been abandoned and as the community, we don't know why,' Gaonnwe said.
'As a leader of PA in the municipality, I tried in vain to compel the municipality to tell us what happened to the money. We cannot afford to lose so much money.'
More than 300 people have invaded the area, a community leader says. Picture: Michel Bega
He said the municipality and the main contractor should explain to the public why the much-needed facility has not been built.
Municipality and contractor should explain to public why facility hasn't been built
He said his party contacted the ward councillor and the municipality, but they did not get straight answers.
'As I am talking to you, there are children playing soccer in a dusty field when money was allocated to build a sports field.
'Soon after the project stopped, criminals vandalised the change rooms that were built and stole the materials.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa reiterates there are no land grabs in SA, slams those spreading misinformation
'We would be happy if the Special Investigating Unit investigated this and the other abandoned projects within the municipality because there are so many.
'I hope that if the media publishes the story, maybe the provincial government will intervene.'
Daniele Maga, senior member of the Merafong Business Forum, said the matter needed to be investigated to establish how the tender was awarded for the main contract and what happened to the project and the money.
A young player kicks up dust on the earmarked for sports fields. Picture: Michel Bega
Matter needed to be investigated
Maga said by law the chamber should be informed about projects happening in the area, but they were always being sidelined by the municipality.
'As the chamber, we don't have information about many projects in the area and, in most cases, tenders are given to people from other provinces, excluding locals,' she said.
'If you look at the municipality, the majority of employees are from Eastern Cape and other provinces. I am not a tribalist, but I believe these people do not care about what is happening because their families are not here.
ALSO READ: Legal battle over land ownership halts Ditsobotla's gravesite construction project
'What is happening here is painful because the sports field was going to produce stars from our community and boost the local economy as teams from other provinces were going to visit us with their followers.
'There are people who are now invading and erecting shacks. We are calling on the municipality to allocate houses for the invaders and to finish the facility.
People now invading and erecting shacks
'I know there are about 4 000 RDP houses that have not been allocated so we suggest that they accommodate these people.'
Merafong municipality spokesperson Thabo Moloja did not respond to questions sent to him.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
D-day for the South African economy less than a WEEK away
D-day for the South African economy – Wednesday 9 July 2025 – is now less than a week away. And talks of a necessary extension is creating growing tension in government ranks. Back in April of this year, US President Donald Trump instituted 30% tariffs on South Africa for all goods imported into America. But facing tremendous backlash worldwide, Trump hit pause on the tariffs for 90 days. This takes us to next weeks' D-day for the South African economy. Trade talks with the US started in May, but have not resulted in any concrete framework as yet. Image: File Unfortunately, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Parks Tau, has shared little in the way of progress on crucial US-SA trade talks. All he can confirm is that South Africa is (one of many countries) asking for more time, reports The Citizen . Interestingly, it appears to be US delegates that are dragging their heels on trade talks. South Africa is yet to hear anything after a trade delegation submitted several proposals to the US back in May. The DTIC put forward a framework agreement focusing on trade and investment. And it identified key areas for growth in each nation's markets. However, as of now, it appears to have done little to stave of D-day for the South African economy … US insistence that South Africa must reform politically does not sit well with ANC leadership. Image: File As such, it appears the acrimonious relationship between the US and South Africa is grounded instead in ideological differences. There have been reports that President Ramaphosa's unwavering stance on BEE and denial of land expropriation has raised the hackles of US delegates. Nevertheless, last week, the Deputy Minister of Trade met with a US representative on the sidelines of a summit in Luanda, Angola. South Africa used the meeting to raise its concerns about the impact of the reciprocal tariffs in Africa. Worst-case scenario, South Africa is seeking a maximum tariff application of 10%. Vehicles like the South African-built Ford Ranger are exported all over the world and will suffer if 30% Trump tariffs go ahead next week. Image: File In a bid to avert D-day for the South African economy, the DTIC wants key export products exempted from the Section 232 tariffs. These include cars and car parts, as well as steel and aluminium. Although time is running out the DTIC is confident: 'The proposed framework will go through the internal approval processes in the US administration. South Africa welcomes this and has expressed a preparedness to engage once it is finalised.' Meanwhile, government is urging industry to exercise strategic patience and not take any decisions in haste. 'Government will continue to use every avenue to engage with the US to find an amicable solution to safeguard our interests in the US market,' concludes the department. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Abandoned R3m sports project sparks land grabs
Leaders and residents want answers on the failed R3 million sports facility and the rising shack community replacing it. This should have been the 'field of dreams' for young people and adults in Khutsong township near Carletonville – but the Merafong municipality's failure to complete a sports centre has seen the earmarked area targeted by land invaders. They are erecting shacks where there should have been soccer, rugby and cricket pitches, and basketball and netball courts. It is not clear how much money has been wasted on the abandoned project since there is no budget information after the 2012-13 financial year, nor any information about how the R3 million allocated in that year has been spent. 12 years since sports field was abandoned It is about 12 years since the project to build the Khutsong sports fields was abandoned. When The Citizen visited the area this week, there were several people preparing to erect housing structures, while boys were playing soccer next to what was supposed to be a soccer pitch. Vusi Cele, a community leader responsible for the allocation of the plots, said so far more than 300 people had invaded the area and were building shacks. ALSO READ: Tshwane plan to relocate east informal settlement dwellers unfolds 'Yes, it is true that we are taking this land because the municipality failed to make use of it, while we don't have houses. Youngsters from Dinowa FC play football on a dusty field in Khutsong on Tuesday. Picture: Michel Bega 'Officials from the municipality's human settlements unit came to talk to us and instructed us to immediately stop what we are doing, but we refused. 'They said they were going to arrest us if we continued. They promised to give us 100 houses, while we are 304. 100 houses promised but 304 needed 'We know for a fact that they are telling lies because the houses are for people who are on the low-cost housing waiting list. We are not going to leave here; we are ready to fight.' Otsile Gaonnwe, a Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader in Merafong municipality, has called on the authorities to investigate why the municipality abandoned the project and what happened to the R3.2 million allocated for it. Gaonnwe said the project started in 2012 and was supposed to be completed at the end of 2013, but the constructor only built a changing room and an RDP-sized house that was supposed to be used by the security officer looking after the construction site. ALSO READ: Fears rise as new Fourways informal settlement takes root 'It is a painful thing to know that so much money was allocated to build the much-needed facility, but the project has been abandoned and as the community, we don't know why,' Gaonnwe said. 'As a leader of PA in the municipality, I tried in vain to compel the municipality to tell us what happened to the money. We cannot afford to lose so much money.' More than 300 people have invaded the area, a community leader says. Picture: Michel Bega He said the municipality and the main contractor should explain to the public why the much-needed facility has not been built. Municipality and contractor should explain to public why facility hasn't been built He said his party contacted the ward councillor and the municipality, but they did not get straight answers. 'As I am talking to you, there are children playing soccer in a dusty field when money was allocated to build a sports field. 'Soon after the project stopped, criminals vandalised the change rooms that were built and stole the materials. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa reiterates there are no land grabs in SA, slams those spreading misinformation 'We would be happy if the Special Investigating Unit investigated this and the other abandoned projects within the municipality because there are so many. 'I hope that if the media publishes the story, maybe the provincial government will intervene.' Daniele Maga, senior member of the Merafong Business Forum, said the matter needed to be investigated to establish how the tender was awarded for the main contract and what happened to the project and the money. A young player kicks up dust on the earmarked for sports fields. Picture: Michel Bega Matter needed to be investigated Maga said by law the chamber should be informed about projects happening in the area, but they were always being sidelined by the municipality. 'As the chamber, we don't have information about many projects in the area and, in most cases, tenders are given to people from other provinces, excluding locals,' she said. 'If you look at the municipality, the majority of employees are from Eastern Cape and other provinces. I am not a tribalist, but I believe these people do not care about what is happening because their families are not here. ALSO READ: Legal battle over land ownership halts Ditsobotla's gravesite construction project 'What is happening here is painful because the sports field was going to produce stars from our community and boost the local economy as teams from other provinces were going to visit us with their followers. 'There are people who are now invading and erecting shacks. We are calling on the municipality to allocate houses for the invaders and to finish the facility. People now invading and erecting shacks 'I know there are about 4 000 RDP houses that have not been allocated so we suggest that they accommodate these people.' Merafong municipality spokesperson Thabo Moloja did not respond to questions sent to him.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Power struggles, but still power surging: MK Party confident of victory despite ongoing tensions
MK Party leader, Jacob Zuma Image: MK Party/Facebook Despite ongoing internal spats, the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party continues to punch above its weight, as party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela asserts. He further expressed that the party has shelved its plans to become the official opposition party in, and is rather focused on its course to being the ruling party in South Africa. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika this week, Ndhlela said if there's one thing that the MK Party, established in December 2023, needs to be commended on, it is that in the space of six months, it has received an overwhelming response from South Africans. Nhlamulo Ndhlela Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Fastest-growing "South Africans believe in us. South Africans continue to believe in us. Now, our party status is that we are the fastest-growing political party in the country, let's not forget that. "Secondly, the majority of the Members of Parliament are below the age of 50, and the majority of them have never been in Parliament. We are, in fact, punching above our weight, contrary to whatever other people may be saying," he said. Ndhlela said the party welcomes the scrutiny by the public because it's that what helps them grow. "No one can say that Umkhonto Wesizwe's presence is not felt in Parliament," he said. Floyd Shivambu Image: Facebook / MK Party Recent incidents This week, Eugene Ndlangamandla, regional coordinator of the MK Party in the Umkhanyakude district in northern KwaZulu-Natal, reportedly tendered his resignation. In a letter to the party, he stated that he has observed unfair treatment. "MKP seems to operate more like a family and friends business rather than a political party to liberate black people. I have noticed a lack of discipline among members," he said. Ndlangamandla said he will be joined Shivambu's Mayibuye Consultation Team. In recent weeks, the party has been hit with several challenges, including the alleged use of its Parliamentary leader, John Hlophe's electronic email signature to issue a letter removing Ndhlela from the party's whippery, and referring to the party president's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, as rude. Ndhlela has also reportedly filed a R3 million defamation lawsuit against former MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu who accused Ndhlela of using drugs and alcohol. On Wednesday, IOL reported that while Shivambu remains a member of the party, his actions will be reviewed. There have also been calls for the party's Parliamentary Whip, Colleen Makhubele's, removal. IOL reported that the party's Parliamentary caucus wants the newly-appointed chief whip to be shown the door amid claims that she makes unilateral and undemocratic decisions, betrays party ideology - particularly in relation to her stance on Israel - and demonstrates poor leadership. Last month, nine new MPs were sworn in following axing of several MPs last year. Instability Speaking to IOL, independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego, said the turnover within the party's senior leadership centred around Zuma's whims. He added that Zuma was looking for a SG of a particular calibre. "It's not the party's membership that determines that. Skills and popularity with members don't matter; what matters is who Zuma wants." Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said conflict is natural. "These problems are not going to grow legs and go away by itself," he said in an interview with eNCA. Breakfast added that a strategy that the MK Party can employ, is to have democratic processes in place that will help to de-escalate some of the tensions within the party. Path to power Responding to a question about the strength of the party, Ndhlela shrugged off the question about 'bad sentiments' about the party. Instead, he said that if there are changes made within the MK Party, it is to make the party stronger. "We can't be stopped from doing that. Changes are changes; there is nothing wrong with changes. "It is important that we adapt to the pulse of the nation. That is what is important: being able to adapt and be flexible. We are focusing on our work. We are the incoming government. We are not focusing on being the official opposition. We are focusing on being in government. It's a path to power," he said. [email protected] IOL
