Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has given an replace on the re-building course of of Mamelodi’s iconic HM Pitje Stadium and what’s inflicting the delay after the bottom was demolished in February.
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The stadium was refurbished main as much as the 2010 FIFA World Cup to function a coaching venue however because of the main structural defects and poor workmanship, the plan didn’t materialise.
The historic stadium is the non secular residence of DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns who’ve additionally expressed curiosity in taking part in at their outdated stomping floor once more.
The local people is up in arms calling on the Gauteng authorities to fulfil its promise of constructing a state-of-the-art sport precinct.
“HM Pitje was (meant to be) used as a training ground for 2010 World Cup and it was handed over to the government and our intention was to refurbish it and for it to be among the best,” Lesufi explains.
“The bone of contention is that the local municipality which is Tshwane wants us to build a stadium that we don’t own, they don’t want to give the ownership to us so I can’t build a home for you that I don’t own and I must hire it when I want to use it. It’s not a budget problem, we are ready, and whatever it costs to invest because it’s a legacy project for that area.
“Sundowns supporters have been pressurising us that they want the team to move to back to HM Pitje. We said let’s form a private public partnership with Sundowns, ourselves and the municipality, either have a central trust or foundation to run the stadium. We have already invested in the demolition of HM Pitje because it was in a bad state and we’re ready for it to rise from the ashes but it can’t if we don’t have those kinds of agreements and that’s where we’re stuck.”
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Phakaaathi spoke to Tshepo Ncubuka who represents Mamelodi local people group #BringBackHMPitje concerning the present state of affairs on the stadium that was demolished 4 months in the past.
“You know politicians will take their own time and we’re heading to the 2024 elections, they will want to grandstand again by making promises of re-building,” he stated.
“It’s true that the stadium belongs to Tshwane but the project belongs to the Gauteng government because they are the ones who caused the mess and we had them under obligation to fix it and even the previous premier David Makhura acknowledged it.
“We will still push for a meeting with the premier so that we can give feedback to the community. We need the stadium back so that we can grow the local economy for the community of Mamelodi.”
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