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The youth of Nelson Mandela Bay suffer, while the Coalition of Corruption allow stadiums to crumble

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Received after publication:

The Democratic Alliance wishes to retract the statement “The youth of Nelson Mandela Bay suffer, while the Coalition of Corruption allow stadiums to crumble” in its entirety.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Dear MyPE

The ANC-led Coalition of Corruption has allowed historic sports stadiums in Nelson Mandela Bay’s townships to fall into disrepair, and what is supposed to uplift the youth of the Metro, has now become a breeding ground for drug abuse, vandalism and other forms of criminality.

During recent oversight inspections at the Motherwell Cricket Stadium, Wolfson Stadium and the Dan Qeqe Stadium, I was shocked to find that these supposed beacons of hope have fallen into total disrepair.

Vandalism is rampant at the Motherwell Cricket Stadium as there is no caretaker to look after the facility. Circuit breakers for the stadium lights have been stolen, the clubhouse vandalised, and sponsored material stolen. (see picture here)

The Metro receives a yearly sponsorship of R500 000 from Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the upkeep of this stadium, but the grounds have been so neglected that no games can be played at the moment and, therefore, the Municipality stands to lose this money. Questions need to be asked about what has happened to the CSA sponsorship, considering the stadium is in disrepair and is currently a white elephant.

There have been efforts to secure additional private sector funding for the facility, but due to the lack of assurances regarding security measures and maintenance from the Municipality, no one is willing to commit to investing their money.

The total lack of security at the Wolfson Stadium has led to rampant vandalism. The fence securing the grounds has been stolen, and the clubhouse was vandalised in September of this year. Two weeks ago, electric cables were stolen. (see pictures here and here)

The Wolfson has been earmarked as one of the host stadiums for the Cosafa Cup, but this could now be jeopardy.

The historic Dan Qeqe Stadium is in total ruins and has now become a drug den and a place where young people go to smoke and use drugs. (see pictures here and here)

What all these sites have in common is that they are not cared for. The most urgent solution that must be put in place is access control. There should be 24-hour security at these facilities, and CCTV cameras must be installed as a matter of urgency.

The Metro seems to be incapable of addressing this issue and, therefore, I will now write to DA Eastern Cape Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nomvano Zibonda, MPL, to take this matter up with the provincial government.

The DA will also take the matter up during tomorrow’s meeting of the Municipality’s Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture committee.

The Coalition of Corruption is playing Russian roulette with the lives of the youth in Nelson Mandela Bay, and the DA will not allow this to stand.

Together with the people of the City, we can move Nelson Mandela Bay forward, we can fix this mess – we have done it before, and we will do it again.

Regards

Cllr Ondela Kepe
Ngqura Constituency Chairperson

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