Nearly R90 million has been poured into the Kaalfontein Multipurpose Centre in Ekurhuleni.
What residents see today is not a hub of opportunity, but an unfinished shell swallowed by weeds and neglect.
The Vision
The centre was designed to enhance access to recreational, educational, and social facilities for residents of Kaalfontein, Ebony Park, and Ivory Park.
The 3,236m² facility was meant to include:
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Sports courts and recreational facilities
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A state-of-the-art library and learning centre
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A community hall
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A double-storey administration and office building
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Ablution facilities and supporting infrastructure
The Reality
According to the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) , the entity responsible for construction, the centre was supposed to be completed last year.
It wasn’t.
When The Citizen visited the site, it looked like a veldlong grass, serious undergrowth, loads of sand and bricks, and a huge unfinished structure.
The Explanation
JDA spokesperson Kenneth Nxumalo conceded that “the delays are largely related to the City of Joburg budgetary and cash flow constraints, inclement weather conditions and the timing of design inputs.”
“The project has been phased due to the fact that for any project of this magnitude, the budget cannot be discharged in a singular 18 months duration, thus forcing the phased approach.”
Total estimated cost: just under R90 million, including construction works for phases one to three and professional fees.
Phase two’s contractor was appointed at R50 million; over R30 million has been spent to date.
Phase threeincluding a swimming pool and Block Dawaits budget confirmation.
The Reaction
Themba Godi, leader of the African People’s Convention and former chair of Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts, said the delay points to two things: incompetence and deliberate corruption.
“We know that in almost all ANC-run government departments, the issue of cost overruns has been normalised.”
Wayne Duvenage, CEO of Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), said he was not surprised.
He said this is one of many matters that extract municipal funds through projects that become overpriced and incomplete due to the manipulation of procurement systems.
The Bottom Line
R90 million. Years of work. A community promised opportunity.
What they got: weeds, sand, bricks, and an unfinished shell.
The JDA blames budget constraints. Civil society sees something darker.
And Kaalfontein waitsfor a centre that may never come.
