Residents want answers on HM Pitje Stadium

Residents in Mamelodi are fed up with a nearby neglected stadium which has become a hideout for criminals and drug addicts. The HM Pitje Stadium in Mamelodi West has not been in use since 2005. They are now even threatening to “shut down” Mamelodi if the government does not do anything about the problem.

A march, called Bring Back Mamelodi, is set to take place on Saturday. The march will hand over a memorandum to Gauteng Premier David Makhura, who was invited to the march.
Tsaka Tsepedi, from United Mamelodi Residents, said they will shut Mamelodi down should the premier fail to attend. “Among the other issues we want to discuss are the shortage of health facilities and the museum for fallen heroes,” said Tsepedi. “The stadium was set to be upgraded and was billed to be a 2010 Fifa World Cup SA legacy project for the city, but none of that ever happened.”

Tsepedi said the stadium was the pride of Mamelodi and home ground of the Mamelodi Sundowns football club. He added that the stadium is now “just a skeleton”. “All that’s left is a vandalised building, ready to fall down at any moment. “Criminals and drugs addicts have helped themselves to the roofs, door frames, windows and other fitting worth millions of rand almost every day and night. “The project to rebuild the stadium needs to be handed to local residents because outsiders are delaying the project. This time the community wants to be involved. “The stadium is no longer safe because the security guards were removed from the premises and criminals saw an opportunity to vandalise it for scraps,” said Tsepedi. He said the Gauteng government previously told them to look for funds to rebuild the stadium.

“We found three funders, which included the Patrice Motsepe presidents of Mamelodi Sundowns, but still there are delays from government.” Tsepedi said the stadium must be demolished and rebuilt from scratch. He urged marchers to wear masks and white T-shirts. Marchers will meet at the Demrise circle in Mamelodi West, section D4 from 08:00 and proceed to the HM Pitje stadium to meet with the Gauteng premier.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the facility was upgraded in preparation for the 2010 World Cup by Gauteng Province as a possible training venue, but was found to be non-compliant and unsafe after a professional assessment. “Discussions with Gauteng province took place over a number of years since then.
“A team was appointed in 2017 by the Gauteng province and a new concept was developed with a high-level cost estimate including a precinct area for multi-purpose sport use,” said Mashigo.
“Different funding options have been explored without much success. Internal funding and options are being explored.”

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