Tennis court poorly constructed
The newly constructed tennis courts in Tlakula on corner Moshoeshoe and Shabangu streets have been vandalised a few months after the construction work was completed.
KwaThema- The newly constructed tennis courts in Tlakula on corner Moshoeshoe and Shabangu streets have been vandalised a few months after the construction work was completed.
The courts have not been handed over to the community amid allegations of poor construction work.
The rusted grandstands which stand in front of the courts were part of the plan but so far a lick of paint has not touched them.
They were built after years of pleading by tennis fanatics in the area to the municipality to build them the facilities to develop the sport in the area.
Last year, during an interview with the African Reporter, Ward 78 Cllr Zanele Nyakale said the two courts were ready to be used by the community and would soon be handed over to them.
This has not been the case six months later.
A walk around the facilities paints a heartbreaking picture. The security fence has been vandalised.
When interviewed, Nyakale said she could not formally hand over the facility because some of the players in the area complained about the ground not being level.
“This would make it difficult for the players to have a fair game. I have raised the matter with the relevant department and waiting for them to respond,” she says.
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The president of Local Sports Confederation, Innocent Mayoyo, says the community, especially the sports confederation, was not consulted about the construction of the tennis courts.
“Tennis is not an active sport in the area, but they chose to fund it, and now the facilities stand as white elephant because there is no one to use them,” says Mayoyo.
Mayoyo says until the municipality respects the formal sports structures in the area, public funds will continue to be invested in non-existent projects.
“It is heartbreaking because all the projects that are meant to bring changes fail.
“Three years ago the municipality started a project to upgrade KwaThema Stadium but they actually downgraded it.
“These are good examples and we are hoping those responsible for the projects will learn from this failed project,” he explains.
At the time of going to print, the municipality had not responded to the media inquiry forwarded to them.
