Tebogo Msimanga |
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is concerned by the current state of the North West province’s 59 000 seater capacity Mmabatho Stadium.
The stadium, which has been closed for some time due to safety concerns, is now expected to host scores of fans on 03 December for the #FillUpMmabathoStadium event by Mahikeng-born rapper, Cassper Nyovest.
DA North West Spokesperson on Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Winston Rabotap said while the event is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy, they are concerned by the state in which we found the stadium during an oversight visit last week.
“The stadium does not have any functional ablution facilities, parts of the general seating area are dilapidated, and the pitch spotlights are not working. One of the spotlights recently caught fire and fire extinguishers were just left at the scene.”
Rabopati added that the Auditor-General indicated during a presentation on the Department of Public Works annual report for 2021/22 financials that there was a failure by the department to conduct conditional assessments on its buildings for several years. “What we found at the Mmabatho Stadium vindicates the AG’s findings”.
He reiterated that the DA will request the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Galebakwe Tlhapi, and the Executive Mayor of Mahikeng, Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo, to ensure that the necessary safety checks and assessments are done at Mmabatho Stadium to ensure the structural integrity of the stadium before the #FillUpMmabathoStadium.
