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Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays
Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays

The Citizen

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • The Citizen

Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays

Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays Quick read Polokwane's long-delayed international softball stadium project is back on track after receiving R184 million in new funding. The funding comes from the Polokwane Municipality and national Department of Sport, boosting the budget after years of stagnation. Since 2019/20, only R69m had been spent, with construction delayed by Covid-19 and the termination of the original contractor in 2022. Rising material costs led to the dismissal of the first contractor; Brunel Engineering was appointed late in 2023. A new completion date of March 2025 has been set, pushed back from the initially promised February 2024. The original budget for the project was R51m in 2020 but has since escalated significantly. Full story below Full story POLOKWANE – After years of delays and cost escalations, the long-awaited international softball stadium is finally back on track, thanks to an additional R184m allocation from both the Polokwane Municipality and the national Department of Sport. The extra funding comes after the initial budget fell short, with only R69m spent on the project since its inception in the 2019/20 financial year. You might also want to read: Future of Polokwane's R90m softball stadium remains a mystery Construction has been plagued by setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the termination of the original contractor in 2022 due to rising material costs – a move Mayor John Mpe said was necessary to curb excessive expenditure. Brunel Engineering, the new contractor appointed late last year, has since taken over the site and repaired parts of the structure damaged during the extended halt in progress. Sport and recreation manager Mantlako Sebaka confirmed this week that while work on the external areas and practice fields is ongoing, the revised estimated completion date has now been set for March 2025, a year later than initially promised. You might also want to read: Millions more to salvage softball stadium This marks a shift from Sebaka's previous projection of February 2024. The project has come a long way from its original R51m budget when the first contractor was appointed in 2020. The DA had previously supported the call for more funding after only 43% of the work was completed despite 84% of the second-phase budget being depleted. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Polokwane tariff increases effective July 1 – Here's what you'll pay
Polokwane tariff increases effective July 1 – Here's what you'll pay

The Citizen

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • The Citizen

Polokwane tariff increases effective July 1 – Here's what you'll pay

POLOKWANE – Residents and businesses in Polokwane are reminded that the 2025/26 municipal tariff adjustments will take effect from July 1, with increases implemented across water, electricity, rates, and other essential services. According to the municipality, the adjustments align with national regulatory frameworks and cost increases from bulk suppliers, namely Eskom for electricity and Lepelle Northern Water for water. The approved increases are as follows: Water: Block tariff increase of 10.2% to 11.2% , depending on usage. Electricity: 11.32% increase, as guided by NERSA. Refuse removal, sewer, and other municipal services: 6% increase. Rates and taxes: 3% increase for residential, agricultural, public benefit, and public infrastructure properties 6% increase for business, industrial, mining, and non-permitted land uses The Polokwane Mayor, John Mpe, said the municipality will continue to exercise financial responsibility by not exceeding increases imposed by bulk suppliers. To support vulnerable residents, the municipality will continue its indigent support programme, which includes: 6 kl of free water 100 kWh of free electricity 100% subsidy on sewer and refuse services Full property rate rebate Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said applications for indigent support are open at the Civic Centre and all cluster offices. 'To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens aged 18 or older, earning a combined household income below R5 740 per month,' he said. Required documents include: Copy of ID Proof of income Bank statement (if applicable) Marriage or death certificate (if applicable) For more information, contact the municipal Customer Care Centre on 015 290 2000 or visit At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun
ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun

IOL News

time02-06-2025

  • Politics
  • IOL News

ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun

The executive mayor of Polokwane and newly elected ANC Peter Mokaba Region chairperson John Mpe may have to challenge for his position during a possible rerun of a recent conference. Image: supplied The ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Conference in Limpopo may face a rerun after supporters of Mamedupi Teffo, the ANC Women's League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn District Mayor, launched a complaint against the chaotic conference. The conference, which was held at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, saw Polokwane Mayor John Mpe reelected as chairperson unopposed, despite allegations of irregularities and internal disputes. Teffo was to challenge Mpe, but did not in protest against the alleged irregularities. According to documents shared on social media, 31 branches were allegedly disqualified in a final dispute report, leaving only 74 qualifying branches - below the required 70% threshold of 79 branches. Delegates who raised these issues argued that the conference should not have proceeded without addressing outstanding disputes. 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 Some delegates accused the Regional Task Team (RTT) of allowing "bogus" delegates into the venue, leading to verbal disputes that escalated into physical confrontations. Former ANC Youth League official in the province Thabo Mabotja, who supports Teffo, is leading the charge insisting that the elections were not legitimate. He and other officials have contacted ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, filing a complaint against the alleged regularities. The group has called for a conference rerun to be held within 30 days. Mbalula has not yet responded to the complaints. Mabotja claimed that the conference did not meet the necessary quorum to continue with elections and announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the ANC's provincial and national structures. "We believe these elections were irregular and premature. We will be engaging the provincial and national leadership on this matter," Mabotja said. Other ANC members in Mabotja's camp vowed to take the matter further, saying they are considering legal action with some claiming that ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe was biased because he was aligned to Mpe. ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that the party in the province was awaiting communication from Mbalula as to what decision he had taken. "We are awaiting the decision of the ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, regarding the outcomes of the conference or the submitted disputes," said Machaka. However, Madadzhe has since legitimised the conference, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities. "We stand by that decision that the conference is not bogus, and is a legitimate conference of the ANC. You will never have a bogus conference of the ANC with four PEC officials attending the conference," Madadzhe said.

Chairs thrown at chaotic ANC Limpopo regional conference
Chairs thrown at chaotic ANC Limpopo regional conference

IOL News

time26-05-2025

  • Politics
  • IOL News

Chairs thrown at chaotic ANC Limpopo regional conference

ANC Limpopo provincial secretary, Reuben Madadzhe. Image: X The ANC provincial secretary, Reuben Madadzhe, has legitimised the Peter Mokaba Regional Elective Conference in Limpopo, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities. The conference, held in Polokwane recently, saw Polokwane mayor, John Mpe reelected unopposed as chairperson for a third term, amidst violent clashes and police intervention. The conference descended into chaos on its first day, with delegates clashing and hurling chairs and tablecloths at one another in protest. Some delegates accused the Regional Task Team (RTT) of allowing "bogus" delegates into the venue, leading to verbal disputes that escalated into physical confrontations. Police intervened to restore order, and the conference continued with the election of Mpe and his slate uncontested. Madadzhe dismissed allegations of irregularities, stating that the party's regional structures followed all protocols. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ "We stand by that decision that the conference is not bogus, and is a legitimate conference of the ANC. You will never have a bogus conference of the ANC with four PEC officials attending the conference," Madadzhe said. He congratulated the newly elected leadership, adding that the conference met the party's guidelines. However, a dissident group of delegates, led by former ANC Youth League official, Thabo Mabotja, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the proceedings. Mabotja claimed that the conference did not meet the necessary quorum to continue with elections and announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the ANC's provincial and national structures. "We believe these elections were irregular and premature. We will be engaging the provincial and national leadership on this matter," Mabotja said. Other ANC members in Mabotja's camp vowed to take the matter further saying they are considering legal action with some claiming that Madadzhe was biased because he was aligned to Mpe. It is not yet clear whether the new structure will take office as no official of the National Executive Committee attended the conference. ANC general secretary Fikile Mbalula did not respond to questions. The newly elected top five officials of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) are: - Chairperson: John Mpe - Deputy Chairperson: Edward Paya - Secretary: Lesiba Matsemela - Deputy Secretary: Kholofelo Lehong - Treasurer: Merriam Molala The elected members come from a slate widely seen as aligned to Mpe, with no competing candidates from the opposing faction standing for nomination. Despite Madadzhe's defense of the conference's legitimacy, tensions remain high within the region.

ANC Limpopo regional elective conference records largest spending since 1994
ANC Limpopo regional elective conference records largest spending since 1994

The Citizen

time26-05-2025

  • Politics
  • The Citizen

ANC Limpopo regional elective conference records largest spending since 1994

The cost is the largest spending for a regional conference in the province since democracy in 1994. The 10th ANC Peter Mokaba regional elective conference in Limpopo has cost the region more than R8 million, sources say The cost is the largest spending for a regional conference in the province since democracy in 1994. How ANC spent the money A source within the regional executive committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the money was spent on food and beverages for friends of the ANC from both the province and national leadership, sound systems, venues, transport, media, accommodation, decoration and banners, among many other items. 'We had to book two venues for accommodation. We booked The Ranch and Park Inn hotels to accommodate delegates and friends of the ANC, including journalists,' said the source. Another source told The Citizen the region spent more than R2 million only on accommodation at the Ranch and Park In Hotels. 'Remember, the conference was scheduled to sit on the 15th and 16th, but it was postponed due to disputes. We had to extend the booking for five more days while waiting for the national dispute resolution committee to finalise the clearance of the disputes,' said the source. ALSO READ: ANC elective conference in Limpopo stalled by disputes Chicks, snacks, booze paid by ANC A delegate booked at Park Inn Hotel, who also asked for his name to be withheld, had only this to say: 'We had everything – free meals, nice accommodation, chicks, snacks and booze. All this was paid for by the ANC. 'Others alleged generous service providers from around the province and Gauteng offered to pay the bill. 'You know the ANC has no money. It depends on handouts from generous service providers. 'Those who are lucky got out of the conference with well-lined pockets after promises that they would vote correctly at the conference,' he said. ALSO READ: 'Third Term' slate shines at Limpopo ANC elective conference Ridiculous spending Some criticised the spending as exorbitant. 'We are lining the streets of Polokwane every morning looking for jobs. Others are sleeping in thatch and mud houses years after empty promises from government to build us RDP houses. 'Roads are riddled with potholes, water is scarce in villages and townships while litter fills our streets. 'This money could have been best used to change the lives of our people in communities,' said Christopher Matlou of the Blouberg subregion. The conference elected Polokwane mayor John Mpe as chair for the region for a third term, Masilo Edward Paya as deputy chair, Lesiba Matsemela as secretary, Kholofelo Lehong as deputy secretary and Merriam Molala as regional treasurer. ANC spokesperson for the region Adolph Rapetsoa would neither confirm, nor deny the cost of the conference. He said they were still working out how much was spent and how much was owed to service providers. NOW READ: Will new ANC faction take over in Limpopo?

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