Future of Polokwane’s R90m softball stadium remains a mystery

POLOKWANE – The future of the city’s controversial R90m softball stadium is still a mystery and it remains to be seen if the first kick-off at the state-of-the-art facility will ever become a reality.

During a visit to the site next to the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex on Friday, it was apparent that the project was at a standstill. The security cubicle at the open gate to the site was vacant, even after allegations that unpaid subcontractors gutted some of the structures after access to the materials left on site was unrestricted.

The facility will have three softball fields, a practice field and 3 500-seater concrete grand stand for field A, steel and timber grands for fields B and C and associated buildings.

Tenders for the project, that is financed by the national Department of Sport with the local municipality as implementing agent, closed in April 2020 and the completion date was given as August 2022.

Read more: Construction of Polokwane’s softball stadium halted for now

Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and the contractor that was appointed in September 2020 started with construction – but abandoned the site in January 2023, apparently resulting from a dispute with the municipality. The contractor subsequently requested to be relieved of his obligation to complete the project.

In May this year, Mayor John Mpe was quoted to have said that the project was at 69% completion, with approximately R69m spent already.

The work done included sewer, water pipes, storm water, the grand stand, superstructure reinforcement and concrete works.

“Looking at the remnants of the first portion of the work that has been done, this figure seems to be inaccurate in view of the extent of the outstanding work as well as the remedial work that has to be done to the abandoned structure,” a professional, who requested to remain anonymous, told Polokwane Observer.

Reasons for the slow progress were given as vandalism of the construction camp, suspension of the work permit and rainfall from November 2012 until March 2022.

“The cost of materials increased over time, affecting the contractor’s ability to complete the stadium and in terms of the stoppage, there have been engagements with the contractor,” Mpe said and explained that the contractor requested an escalation of prices on the bill of quantities due to the fact that, after the pandemic, “things went skyrocketing” in terms of materials.

The variation amounted to more than 20% of the original contract cost and the municipality did not approve the variation.

“A new contractor has been appointed and should be on site during the month of June,” Mpe said.

The spokesperson for the municipality, Thipa Selala confirmed that a new contractor has been appointed from a list of pre-approved service providers, and that the project will be completed in accordance with the tender specifications. The new contractor will also accept responsibility for the work already done.

“Work has not yet commenced, as contractual matters are still in the process of being finalised. The contractor will only take site handover when all the necessary contractual matters are in place,” Selala explained.

Asked why the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex could not have been modified at a much lower cost to also cater for softball, Selala said the stadium was designed for the purpose of soccer only and could not cater for the functionality of a softball event.