The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has allocated yet another R10 million for last minute repairs to the controversial AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley.
With President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to deliver the Human Rights Day keynote address at the venue, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is questioning the scope and urgency of the emergency repairs now planned. We have requested the Department to provide a full breakdown of maintenance and repair plans for both this stadium and other sporting facilities in the province.
The DA is also demanding accountability for the millions already spent on refurbishments since 2021.
In 2020, the Department proposed a R14 million rehabilitation project. The stadium, after years of neglect, was in severe disrepair and previously without a dedicated maintenance budget.
The department blamed delays in refurbishments on the stalled appointment of consultants, while the facility continued to deteriorate. After the municipality appointed a shoddy contractor, funds spent were meant to be repaid. Nothing has since materialised.
Despite millions in taxpayer funds spent, recent oversight inspections revealed a stadium in a shocking state, with non-functional toilets, missing drain covers and overgrown thorny grass where a sports field once stood.
An engineer from the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality has since confirmed that a compliance certificate will not be issued until safety concerns are addressed.
The Provincial Government must also account for the mismanagement of funds meant to maintain and upgrade sports infrastructure across the province.
Communities deserve safe, functional sports facilities year-round, not last-minute repairs when national leaders are due to visit.