The Democratic Alliance (DA) will refer the R8 million upgrade to the Krakeel Sportsfield in the Koukamma Municipality to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to investigate if public funds were abused.
In a written response dated 30 May 2025 to questions I posed in Parliament, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, stated that R8 million had been allocated in the 2022/2023 financial year.
The scope of the project included a soccer/rugby field with an irrigation system, a multi-purpose combi-court for basketball, tennis, volleyball and netball, floodlighting, an ablution block, a spectator grandstand with a 400-person capacity, and perimeter fencing.
Today, a DA oversight inspection however revealed a very different picture.
The grandstand constructed is both unsafe and significantly smaller than reported, with seating for fewer than 100 spectators. The wide gaps between seat planks pose a serious safety hazard. The structure falls far short of the description of a proper grandstand.
There is little evidence of a functional irrigation system. The field and its surroundings are poorly maintained, and while a few sprinklers and nozzles were observed in storage, they are clearly insufficient to meet the facility’s needs. The current condition of the grounds underscores the inadequacy of the installed system.
Furthermore, the combi-court is unequipped for its intended multi-sport purpose. It lacks essential components such as nets for tennis and volleyball. Apart from painted markings and a few post holes, there is nothing to suggest the court is ready for use. The ablution block facility is also inadequate for the number of spectators at the venue.
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I will, therefore, refer the matter to the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Joe McGluwa, for further investigation to determine what became of the full R8 million allegedly allocated.
Despite these obvious failures, the Minister indicated that his department was unaware of any irregularities, affirming that all procedures had been followed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
There is no clear evidence to support the Minister’s claim that the R8 million in public funds was spent responsibly on this facility. Those involved, particularly the Koukamma Municipality under whose oversight the project was executed, must be held accountable.
The DA will fight to ensure that if irregularities and corrupt activities in the spending of the public’s purse are found, those responsible must face the full might of the law.