Kagiso Memorial and Recreational Centre another abandoned white elephant?
Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation confirms the state-of-the-art Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre has not been fully operational since its completion in 2016.
The Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre, initially built as a multi-purpose venue for Kagiso residents, has not been fully operational for almost a decade.
After a recent oversight was done by government stakeholders, it was concluded that much work needs to be done to restore the facility to its former glory.
According to the Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Kingsol Chabalala, the state-of-the-art recreation centre has been abandoned and has not been fully operational since its completion in 2016.
He said it is a world-class sporting facility that should be used by the community for different sporting codes such as gymnastics, basketball, aerobics and squash.
“There is also a music recording studio that is gathering dust. In addition, the incredible heritage site holds immense potential to attract investment, boost the local economy, and generate employment opportunities for the residents of Mogale City. This facility has been neglected and allowed to disintegrate by the department, depriving the residents of their intended benefits this is an issue we can not ignore too much longer,” Chabalala said.
In September 2024, it was also discovered that some individuals use the venue to conduct business and activities. However, they do not book or pay to rent the venue before they can use their services.
”We received numerous complaints from community members who claim that they are charged a monthly subscription to use the physical wellness centre by individuals who were operating there without following the proper process,” Chabalala added.
”Making residents pay to use gym equipment owned by the department is a criminal act. We propose that the community should report those people to the department. Furthermore, the toilets and showers are not working, and the kitchen equipment has never been used.”
MCLM spokesperson for Community Development Girly Kubayi confirmed the heritage artefacts are being stored in a temporary storage room while the R14m budget allocated for a heritage component disappeared with a service provider.
Demands have been made that the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe, must prioritise fixing the infrastructural defects at this facility. Those demands also include that the facility must be handed over to the municipality so that it can benefit the community.
”We will also be tabling questions to the MEC demanding answers about the R14m that disappeared with the service provider. We want to know who the service provider is and what has the department done so far to force the service provider to deliver services or to pay back the money. Thereafter, we will be laying criminal charges, demanding that every cent owed should be paid back to the department. We will not allow incompetent service providers who fail to deliver on community projects to steal money meant to better the lives of our people. We will continue to fight to ensure that such service providers face the full might of the law and be blacklisted to do business with the government,” Chabalala concluded.
