Enoch Mgijima municipality says R15m stadium pictures ‘provided minimal detail’

Following the backlash on social media, the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality said in a statement on Tuesday that the manner in which the initial post of the stadium was shared provided minimal detail about it.

“The construction of the sports facility commenced at the beginning of March 2020 following an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approved by DEDEAT authorising the project within the limits stated in the NEMA Act. Further investigations were also conducted to determine the suitability of the site to be developed into a sports field with associated structures – which include survey, geotechnical and geohydrological tests,” it explained.

According to the municipality, the project scope entailed:

• Erection of 780 metres of palisade fencing

• Construction of a rugby and soccer field (site clearing, layering of grounds)

• Rock blasting – undertaken as the area is comprised mainly of hard rock which had to be removed to allow for construction

• Earth works – excavation and levelling of grounds

• Layer works – G5 imported sub-base layer; 13 mm crushed stone which is 75 mm thick; top soil and transplanting of kikuyu grass

• Athletics track – grassed track – layers of crushed stone, drainage system to ensure its viability

• Ablution facilities (2 blocks) – construction of 14 toilets and 8 showers

• Change rooms – showers and benches

• Borehole drilling, equipping and water reticulation installation, rain water catchment tank, high-rise water main tank

• Sewer system with septic tank

• Electrical installation

• Guard house

• Steel grandstands

I have been involved in construction projects, I have done financial oversight on several construction projects.

Maybe you just know me from twitter streets but I have extensive experience with PFMA and MFMA from my prior and current jobs.

It’s a very overpriced project.

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) October 5, 2021

“This one aikhona, I’m seeing a lot of engineers and people who work in construction saying it’s actually possible but people must account for clarity,” said Shimza.

Maimane was not buying Shimza’s explanation.

“I understand why you have to soften the blow. From my experience this project definitely did not come close to R15 million,” he said.

After Shimza questioned Maimane’s construction knowledge in favour of the engineers he had been listening to, the One SA Movement leader delivered a response that should have ended the conversation.

“Message your bae. Send flowers. No one forced you to enter this chat. I have a masters in Economics, while you were entering DJ competitions I was working in public office, I know what I am talking about. Bottomline, the project did not cost R15 million. There is no spin room,” he said.

DJ Shimza did try to respond with talk of his relationship with a black woman and the successful businesses he runs, but Maimane’s comment was effectively where the twar ended.