The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) has spent over R12 million in the past five financial years on operational costs for the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre, yet the monument is still not operational and not benefitting the residents.
The fact that this monument in Vanderbijlpark is still not operational is an insult to the family members of the victims of the Boipatong massacre and the community.
This facility has the potential of boosting local tourism and creating employment opportunities for its residents.
Please see photos here, here, here, and here.
The monument was completed in 2015 and its initial budget was R32 572 833.00 which accrued to R35 199 212.5. Sadly, it remains closed and there are still no computers in the Youth Centre. This means that millions of taxpayer’s monies spent on the construction of this facility and the operational costs will go down the drain because it’s still not functional.
It is alleged that when the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) came to supply computers to the Youth Centre, it also came with its own staff instead of hiring from the community. This angered the community as they expected to benefit from this project.
The DA will demand answers from the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) about project management, the amount paid for operational costs versus the work done. Those found to be complicit in wrongdoing should be taken to task and those that have been unfairly benefited should face all might of the law.
We also demand that MEC Hlophe prioritises ensuring that the Boipatong Monument and Youth Centre is open and functional as a matter of urgency.