The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga calls on Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane to address the issue of the Emakhazeni High Altitude Training Centre during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Friday. This comes as the DA learned that another R86 million has been wasted on this monstrosity that is standing idle and through which the provincial government wasted millions of taxpayers money on already.
A report by the Portfolio Committee on Education, Culture Sport and Recreation, confirms that the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation is wasting over R86 million on this white elephant.
The department awarded the following tenders in the 2020/2021 financial year.
| Phase 1 Bulk Water pipeline and Reservoir Tank | |||
| Project Description | Contractor Appointed | Contract Price | Award Date |
| Construction of a 7 Megalitre Reservior in Emakhazeni Town | Totobela Trading and Projects | R 29 351 418.73 | Jan 2021 |
| Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Construction – Section 1 | Sizampilo Projects (Pty) Ltd | R 18 115 215.79 | Jan 2021 |
| Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Construction – Section 2 | Mantelane Construction | R 21 071 846.78 | Jan 2021 |
| Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Construction – Section 3 | Sihle Property Developers and Plant Hire (Pty) Ltd | R 18 234 450.10 | Jan 2021 |
| TOTAL | R 86 772 931.40 | ||
This R86 772 931.40 is after the Mpumalanga government had already spent R256 million in preparation to construct this training center.
The training center was the brainchild of Deputy President David Mabuza’s cabinet when he was still Premier of Mpumalanga. Mabuza himself announced that the center could not go ahead because the Portuguese government – which was the investor – pulled out due to the global economic meltdown that began in 2008. However, no other investors have shown interest in this project for more than a decade.
According to the Portfolio Committee report, the Department confirmed that as at the end of March 2021, appointed contractors had established their site as per the requirement and a sizeable number of pipe materials were delivered.
However, the project stood idle since March 2021 due to continuous community unrest in Emakhazeni, and now materials that were delivered have been stolen.
After the engagements by the department and community, an advertisement for 30% subcontracting was placed as part of resolving some of the challenges raised by the community. However, the community is dissatisfied by appointed contractors that are not from Emakhazeni or surrounding areas and more unrest ensued.
The DA demands that Premier Mtsweni-Tsipane will address this issue during her State of the Province Address on Friday as this white elephant has stood bare for far long enough.