Is eThekwini Municipality's R3. 6 million fan park expenditure justified?
The eThekwini Municipality splurged big on the Nedbank Cup Final on May 10 with two free fan parks which cost R3,6 million.
Albert Park and the Durban beachfront were chosen as sites, and the municipality said these were chosen due to their proximity to the Moses Mabhida Stadium where the sold-out football match took place.
According to the municipality, the procurement process for the company that provided the service involved the Section 36 process.
Section 36 deviates from regular procurement techniques by allowing the city to acquire goods or services in an emergency or when competitive procurement rules are unrealistic or impossible to follow. The approach allows it to pick a company without pursuing more bidders.

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IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Gauteng High Court upholds protection order against manager for offensive language
The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, ruled that the use of profane language at work towards a colleague is not workplace banter. Image: File Repeated insults with the use of profane and demeaning language during a salary dispute with a colleague resulted in a line manager being slapped with a protection against harassment order, which he now tried to overturn, stating that his language simply constituted 'workplace banter'. But the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, did not agree and turned down the appeal against the harassment order. The court said words such as the 'f' word and calling someone an 'asshole' did not belong in the workplace. Nonhlanhla Mabuza obtained the protection order in April against her line manager, Garth Roberts. Both work for a company known as Africa Rainbow Minerals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Mabuza joined the company in 2019 and was placed on a three-month probation period at a specified salary. After serving her probation, she was confirmed permanently, but her salary was reduced by R3,000. No reasons were given to Mabuza for this reduction. This discrepancy necessitated a meeting between her and Roberts, during which a representative of the human resources department was also present. The proceedings were recorded. It is not disputed that Roberts told Mabuza during the meeting that she signed a 'f***ing' paper because she is an 'asshole'. The issue in the appeal is to determine whether these utterances constitute harassment, justifying a protection order against him. Judge Percival Motha, during the appeal, inquired from counsel for Roberts whether it is proper for a white man to call a black woman an 'asshole' in this racially charged society. The answer was a clear 'no'. Judge Majake Mabesele, who sat with Judge Motha on the appeal and who wrote the judgment, remarked that although the question raised with counsel is legitimate, the court is alive to the fact that the emphasis should not be placed on race in this matter. 'Instead, the emphasis should be placed on 'power'. Harassment at the workplace knows no race. It is about misuse of power, thereby violating a person's right to dignity, and a right not to be subjected to psychological torture,' Judge Mabesele said. Roberts' lawyer, meanwhile, argued that the utterances made by his client, objectively viewed, were not of such an overwhelmingly oppressive nature as to make them oppressive and unreasonable. He argued that Roberts was, at the time, attempting to assist Mabuza with a salary situation and that she thanked him for attending the meeting. In his argument, the lawyer stressed the point that the word 'asshole' is regarded as workplace banter and could not have caused Mabuza serious distress. However, the judge stated that this argument lacks merit. 'The word 'asshole' should be regarded as an insult in circumstances where a female is accused of wrongdoing by a male person. The word becomes extremely disturbing and causes serious fear and distress when uttered simultaneously with the 'f' word, as it transpired in the meeting between Mr Roberts and Ms Mabuza,' Judge Mabesele said. He added that it is apparent from the entire recorded conversation that the word 'asshole' was uttered more than once and the 'f' word was uttered three times, despite protest by Mabuza, who was pleading for a salary adjustment. Mabuza told the court the reason for her obtaining a protection order against him was not simply because he called her an 'asshole' or used the 'f' word. 'This is just to show how Mr Roberts is.' But the court said logic dictates that the words that were uttered to her must have caused her serious distress.


The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs coach breaks silence on 'unfair' goalkeeper criticism
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach Ilyez Mzoughi has defended the club's goalkeeping department, claiming fans were overly harsh in their judgement during a disappointing Betway Premiership campaign. Mzoughi believes criticism of Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen, and Fiacre Ntwari overlooked the difficult circumstances they faced throughout the season. Despite some memorable individual moments, Chiefs could only manage a ninth-place finish, conceding 39 goals in 30 league matches, a stat that lays bare the defensive frailties. While each of the three goalkeepers had standout performances, the overall figures reflect clear room for improvement: Bruce Bvuma, made 23 appearances, with eight clean sheets and 23 goals conceded. Fiacre Ntwari managed 7 appearances, with one clean sheet and 11 goals conceded. While Brandon Petersen only made 5 appearances, with one clean sheet too, and 5 goals conceded. Mzoughi offered context for the underwhelming stats, citing disruptions in defence that impacted the entire squad. 'It was a tough season, not only for the goalkeepers, but for the whole team,' he said via the club's official website. 'We were unlucky with some injuries and suspensions of our defenders, which affected the goalies in particular, and the team in general.' Despite the collective struggles, Mzoughi praised his trio for producing match-saving moments under pressure. 'Overall, I feel that all our goalkeepers made various excellent saves throughout the season, such as Bruce's magnificent save against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semis or Brandon's mature performance in the final.' Mzoughi also addressed the controversial decision to start Petersen ahead of Bvuma in the Nedbank Cup final, a move that caught many supporters off guard. 'It was indeed a tough decision. Bruce had a bit of a lingering calf injury. He wasn't 100% fit. 'Brandon was working and training tremendously hard and, despite not having played a competitive match in seven months, I asked him: 'Are you ready to play a game?' He looked at me and answered: 'I am ready!' The rest is history.' The Tunisian coach acknowledged the high expectations at Naturena but pleaded with fans to be more understanding of the challenges goalkeepers face. 'Our supporters can be very demanding, and rightly so, as we are a big club. But I do feel that they were at times too critical of our goalkeepers. 'We must be realistic and support them. It's important that our fans give our goalies love, irrespective of who is in goal, as we are one family.' Will Kaizer Chiefs find a solution in goal? 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.

IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Pirates star Mohau Nkota thanks 'Father Figure' Joseph Makhanya ahead of Saudi Arabia move
Orlando Pirates midfielder Mohau Nkota (right) will join Saudi Pro League's Ettifaq Club after a standout season for the Soweto Giants. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mohau Nkota has penned an emotional farewell to Orlando Pirates after sealing a dream move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq — bringing to an end a remarkable debut campaign in South African top-flight football. The 20-year-old winger spent just one season in the senior setup at Pirates, but his impact was undeniable. In 39 appearances across all competitions, Nkota scored seven goals and registered five assists — with several standout performances in the CAF Champions League that drew international attention. His move to Saudi Arabia was confirmed by the Buccaneers on Sunday and was announced by the Al-Ettifaq themselves. You've got yourself a rare gem there, look after our boy😌🔥🔥🥇 — Rolivhuwa☠️🇿🇦 (@Mulinda076) July 13, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Nkota is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Dammam-based club, who have moved quickly to secure one of the PSL's most exciting young talents. 'As I close this chapter of my life, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude,' Nkota said in a farewell message. 'To Coach Mandla Qhogi and Mxolisi Mngomezulu, thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream. You believed in me and gave me the platform to grow.' Having risen through the ranks at Pirates, Nkota acknowledged the key influence of development mentor Joseph Makhanya and first-team head coach José Riveiro, under whom he lifted the 2024 Nedbank Cup — his first major silverware. 'Coach Joseph Makhanya has been more than just a coach — he's been a father figure. And to the man who made me the player I am today — Coach José Riveiro — thank you. Your influence on my journey has been immeasurable, and I'll carry your lessons with me wherever I go.' While the move to the Gulf presents an exciting opportunity, Nkota admitted there's a degree of sadness in leaving the club that nurtured him from his teenage years. ☠️ 𝐍𝐤𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡🏴☠️ 💻 CLICK ON 🔗 TO READhttps:// We thank Mohau Nkota for his contribution to the Club and wish him all the best in this new chapter of his career. 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates… — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 13, 2025 'I'm filled with mixed emotions. There's sadness in leaving behind the only football home I've ever known, but also excitement for the journey ahead. 'I've grown as a player, but more importantly as a person. I'm proud to have won a cup with Orlando Pirates. The friendships and memories we've created will last a lifetime.' Nkota also sent a heartfelt message to the Ghost, Pirates' loyal supporters, who backed him throughout his rise. 'Your chants, your passion, and even your constructive criticism fuelled me every single step of the way. I'll never forget the electric atmosphere you created. It was a privilege to play for you.' He closed his message by thanking the chairman, technical team, and current and former teammates, vowing to take the Buccaneers' values with him abroad. 'I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to wear the black and white and be part of the rich history of the Mighty Buccaneers. Thank you for an unforgettable time.' Nkota is expected to undergo his medical in the coming days before officially joining Al-Ettifaq — becoming the latest South African export to test himself in one of world football's fastest-growing leagues.