Tebogo Msimanga |
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is concerned that the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre in Vanderbijlpark is still not fully operational despite being completed in November 2015. The party calls on the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Mbali Hlophe to intervene urgently to ensure that this centre is fully operational.
The Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre was built in 2011 and was supposed to be completed in 2012 but it was only completed in November 2015.
In a statement released on Thursday, DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Kingsol Chabalala said the three-year delay in the completion of this project has had a financial impact as the initial budget of R32 572 833,00 accrued to R35 199 212,52.
“Even though this facility is not fully operational the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation continues to transfer the operational grant to the Sedibeng District Municipality. In the 2018/19 financial year R2,3 million was transferred to the municipality for the purpose of ensuring that this facility is operational.”
Chabalala said this facility is plagued by numerous problems which includes structural defects as a result of poor workmanship, sewer blockages, broken windows and air-conditioners not functioning.
She added that the contractor has seized 45 computers from this facility because they have not yet been paid for the service rendered. The cleaners have not been paid their salaries for nine months.
Chabalala highlighted that in the 2019/20 financial year,the department transferred R2,5 million for the operational costs of this facility. “This raises questions about the funds allocated to the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre and how the money is being spent.
The DA said this monument was erected to remember the Boipatong massacre, and the party cannot pay proper tribute to their sacrifice while the centre is not fully operational.
