IPELEGENG, NORTH WEST — Parliament is preparing to open a corruption case concerning the stalled R10-million Motoro Sports Ground upgrade in the Mamusa Municipality. Following a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, serious concerns were raised about the prolonged construction delays involving the local municipality, Unene Holdings, and Aobakwe Consulting. The stalled project has deprived the community’s youth and residents of essential sports infrastructure for nearly two years.
During the oversight visit at the stalled site, a spokesperson for Aobakwe Consulting provided clarity on the project’s finances. Of the R10 million budget, which was co-funded through intergovernmental streams, R6.17 million has been utilized thus far. The spokesperson explained that R1.1 million of this amount was allocated for an extension of time. Furthermore, a second payment certificate worth R1.3 million was paid directly to the supplier of the artificial turf. Therefore, the R6.17 million spent does not represent the full amount paid to the contractor for work completed on the ground.
A representative for the main contractor, Unene Holdings, defended the progress, stating that the upgrade was specifically designed to develop sports infrastructure for the benefit of the local community. The spokesperson pointed to evidence of base correction on the court. Addressing the soccer pitch, the Unene Holdings representative explained that due to the massive size of the field, a standard pull-behind roller is insufficient. The project requires a heavy roller, a grader, and a water tanker to properly prepare the base to the required standards before the construction teams can proceed.
As the implementing agent, the Mamusa Municipality faced scrutiny over the project’s non-completion. A spokesperson for the municipality acknowledged that the delays were primarily caused by a failure to pay the contractors on time. The spokesperson revealed that while Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocations were made in March, the actual payment to the contractor was only processed in September 2025. This eight-month payment delay significantly stalled the construction progress.
In response to the findings, a Member of Parliament on the committee announced the intention to exercise their constitutional right to report suspected corruption and the defrauding of the state. The lawmaker declared that a formal corruption case will be opened against the Mamusa Municipality, Unene Holdings, and Aobakwe Consulting.
The Portfolio Committee also indicated that this oversight visit is part of a broader effort to address the growing trend of abandoned infrastructure projects across the North West province. The committee noted a similar situation in the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, where a contractor failed to adhere to the project program for a separately funded initiative.
