More questions around Collie Koeberg

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The DA's Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), Heinrich Müller, recently called for a thorough investigation into the contract awarded to Rudcor Engineering for renovations at the Collie Koeberg Stadium in Graaff-Reinet.

He also submitted several questions relating to this renovations contract to the MEC for DSRAC, Sibulele Ngongo, and the MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Zolile Williams.

Upon Graaff-Reinet Advertiser's enquiry into the responses from these two MECs, Müller stated that the response from the MEC for DSRAC is 'shocking'.

Renovations contract questioned

Müller wanted to know what oversight mechanisms the department has put in place towards ensuring the proper use of the R45m funding that DSRAC provided for the renovation of this stadium.

He also wanted to know whether the department has received any progress reports on the work done and, if so, what the current status of the project is.

This question arose after it came to light that the project has been halted and the stadium remains derelict despite payments totalling more than R19m allegedly made to Rudcor Engineering.

Müller wanted to know what steps DSRAC will take to ensure the completion of the project.

Lack of transparency and accountability

Müller also noted that there is a shocking lack of transparency regarding the progress of the renovations.
"Repeated municipal assurances of regular site inspections and progress updates have gone unfulfilled, showing a lack of accountability that leaves the project shrouded in uncertainty," he said.

"Such failures erode public trust and bring into question the integrity of the entire contracting process."

Irregular expenditure questioned

Müller also mentioned that the irregular expenditure related to the Rudcor Engineering contract was reportedly written off by the municipal council, and wanted to know whether DSRAC considers this write-off to be justified.

He said that the Auditor General's findings relating to the irregular expenditure, as well as violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act, raise concerns. "These red flags demand immediate action to restore integrity and transparency and therefore the DA calls for a comprehensive breakdown of expenditures, including an itemised budget, work progress, and quality controls," he said.

"The community has a right to see how and where the R19m has been spent, with records to justify every cent."

Müller wanted to know whether DSRAC will commit to conducting a full audit of the renovation project, including a review of all quotations, invoices and the Bill of Quantities, and, if so, by what date this audit can be expected to be completed.

Security services questioned

Müller also questioned the issue of security at municipal sites. Specifically referring to reports on the systematic ransacking of the Collie Koeberg Stadium, he asked what measures DSRAC has taken to ensure that municipalities – in particular the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality – are compliant with the safeguarding and maintaining of municipal assets set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act.

He also wanted to know whether DSRAC has conducted any investigation into the apparent breach of the service level agreement between the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality and the service provider that provides security services at municipal sites, in particular at the Collie Koeberg Stadium.

Shocking response

Graaff-Reinet Advertiser is in possession of the MEC for DSRAC Sibulele Ngongo's response to all Müller's questions.
Ngongo stated that she would take no measures regarding any of the issues, as the oversight responsibility over the municipalities does not reside with the MEC for DSRAC.

Müller finds this response totally unacceptable.

"The money is from the department, so surely they must play their role in ensuring that the funding allocated is spent wisely and does not amount to fruitless and wasteful expenditure," he said.

"It is because of these attitudes that we see so many failed projects and sadly the residents are those who end up suffering." He said he is following up on the matter as it cannot remain unresolved.
"The departments must investigate and ensure that the stadium's renovation is resumed and completed as this protracted stagnation deprives sports clubs and residents of the basic facilities they were promised."

Graaff-Reinet Sport Forum disappointed

The growing frustration over broken promises and inadequate communication has left local clubs and residents questioning the municipality's commitment to delivering essential infrastructure.

The Graaff-Reinet Sport Forum's Moos Mbodla says it is sad that a sports complex that once looked like Loftus is now in such a derelict state.

Moos Mbodla in what is supposed to be the sports field.