Sport facilities are falling apart and pose a danger

MASHISHING – The only sports field in Mashishing is being neglected and left to deteriorate day by day.

Community members have expressed concern about its state – it worries them since the structure is in very poor condition and the area is no longer serving its purpose. Instead the premises have become a home for criminals.

Mr Sipho Kock, a resident, says the area is no longer safe. “So many unlawful things take place there on a daily basis and every day the situation deteriorates,” he said. “People are using it as a spot to smoke drugs and drink alcohol.”

The structure is dilapidated, and the toilets have become a dumping area. The sports field has long grass, the netball ground has one pole, the grand-stands are falling apart and the soccer poles are broken.

The tennis court doesn’t look like one – all there is, is the rectangle of concrete on the ground. We used to have a nice recreational area, we used to play games and have so much fun but now we have only memories,” he explained.

“When you walk up the stands you are not sure if the corrugated iron will fall down and hurt you. We love this place and wish something could be done to save it.

I hope it will be renovated soon, so that the youth can have a place to go to for entertainment and maybe it will decrease teenage pregnancy and drug abuse,” he said.

When Steelburger News contacted the municipality, the comment was that the state of the stadium remained a major concern to council.

“There are still various issues pertaining to the facility, which need to be ironed out, and also the matter of funding.”