Should the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation go ahead with the move, it would be fiscally irresponsible and potentially catastrophic for South Africa’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.

An alternative, cost-effective solution already exists. The Ditsong Museum has been identified as a suitable facility for the safe storage of these priceless artworks, with funding of R20 million secured through private stakeholders, at no cost to the public purse. That proposal was set aside in favour of a relocation to Museum Africa at a cost that exceeds R20 million, money that neither the City of Johannesburg nor the Gauteng Provincial Government can afford.

During a recent oversight inspection by the DA Gauteng, we found that the so-called upgraded storage area at Museum Africa is not properly secured to house such culturally significant and irreplaceable artwork.

See photos here, here, here, and here.

Ordinary household doors fitted with a basic access keypad secure the storage area. There are no strongroom doors, no vault-grade security, and no visible climate control systems. A trellis-style gate further exposes the inadequacy of the security arrangements.

More alarmingly, the door to the area housing the artworks was found standing open, and a representative of the construction company occupied the office designated for a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer. This raises serious questions about oversight, accountability, and the chain of custody on-site.

Should the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation go ahead with the move, it would be fiscally irresponsible and potentially catastrophic for South Africa’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Museum Africa’s building itself is in urgent need of major refurbishment. Relocating priceless, irreplaceable artworks into a facility that cannot guarantee their physical security, environmental preservation, or proper custodianship is reckless in the extreme.

The DA Gauteng demands immediate answers to the following critical questions:
- What is the complete, verified inventory of artworks to be relocated, and has it been independently audited?
- Which company has been appointed to create, transport, and oversee the installation of these works, and through what procurement process were they selected?
- What insurance cover is in place during transit and storage?
- What climate control measures exist to protect these works from humidity, temperature fluctuation, and light damage?
- What public access, if any, will be provided to these artworks, and what security protocols will govern such access?
- Who bears legal and financial responsibility should any artwork be damaged, lost, or stolen?

South Africa’s art heritage belongs to all its people. The women and men whose stories, struggles, and creativity are captured in JAG’s collection deserve better than a poorly secured storeroom and unanswered questions. This relocation, as currently implemented, could amount to fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Therefore, it must be halted until a full, transparent account is provided to the public and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

A DA-led provincial government would ensure that the province’s precious artwork is preserved by using the facilities at Ditsong Museum in Pretoria.

The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR) spent over R280 million on construction and operational costs. A further R14.5 million was spent fixing shoddy workmanship that occurred during phases three and four of the project over the past three years.

The monument, which was unveiled in August 2016, is meant to honour the legacy of women who played a critical role in the struggle against apartheid in the country. In addition, the centre is intended to host a training and development centre featuring statues commemorating legendary activists, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophie De Bruyn. Despite being unveiled in 2016, construction on the project was completed two years later in 2018. Furthermore, the sand used in the construction is starting to crumble.

See photos here, here, here and here.

The premises are secured with fencing and signs indicating that personal protective equipment is required to enter, even though there is no visible construction activity on the site. Seven unannounced visits have taken place since 2024 by the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng, during which we were denied access, six of which we were denied access.

The GDSACR promised that the site would be fully operational by 2024. This deadline has since passed, and there has been no progress in getting the site fully operational. One of the reasons the site cannot become fully operational is that the City of Tshwane declared it a fire hazard for failing to comply with safety standards.

The continued delay in opening the site was blamed on the need to move the substation from the parking lot of the State Theatre to a safe area, a requirement from Fire and Safety. During this year’s oversight inspection, the project manager confirmed that the substation had been moved.

The DA Gauteng will continue to push for the opening of the Women’s Living Heritage Monument. This heritage site not only has the potential to unlock job opportunities and grow the local economy in Tshwane, but it will also honour the memories of the women who have sacrificed for South Africa. It is an dishonour to past and present generations that it is sitting idle as a white elephant.

A DA-led provincial government would immediately appoint a competent contractor to complete the work at this facility.

Young athletes in Gauteng communities have been left on the sidelines as Premier Panyaza Lesufi has failed to deliver 14 artificial turf fields he pledged in 2023 during his State of the Province Address (SOPA). This contributes to Lesufi’s long record of empty promises, demonstrating a lack of political will to address the Gauteng residents’ sporting needs.

Lesufi’s failure to deliver on his promise was confirmed in a written response from the former MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Matome Chiloane, following questions posed by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to Chiloane, the 2023 plan to upgrade 14 soccer fields with the installation of artificial turf in municipalities across the province, totalling over R407 million, has not gotten off the ground. In fact, the project that Lesufi announced with great fanfare is currently unfunded and has no set timeline, despite municipalities submitting lists of soccer fields for upgrades through the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) framework.

See reply here.

This is a betrayal of our young athletes in disadvantaged communities who are fighting to develop their skills and compete on the world’s stage. These athletes are denied access to the basic facilities they need to train and succeed by a Premier who is big on promises and thin on action.

Furthermore, the power of sport in keeping our children away from drugs and crime, and to help them overcome the mental health crises devastating our communities, is well-documented. Yet Lesufi could not be bothered.

The DA will table questions to the incoming MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Lebohang Maile, seeking answers on why the promised artificial turfs were never delivered and the current state of those facilities.

The fact that the MEC for SACR continues to hold dual roles in both SACR and Education after Lesufi’s self-serving cabinet reshuffle shows his disregard for the importance of these portfolios. The DA reiterates its call for a capable, designated MEC to take charge of this department and help it fulfil its mandate.

The DA is the only party that genuinely cares about athletes in our province. We would have delivered the artificial turfs on time and within budget, empowering disadvantaged communities and unlocking the potential of our youth.

A recent oversight inspection by the DA at the State Museum revealed a building in a shocking state of disrepair, with visible deterioration indicating years of neglect and abandonment. The windows are broken, sections of the ceiling have collapsed, and the walls are cracked with paint peeling off. Inside, the building resembles a jungle with overgrown grass.

See photos here, here, here, here, and here.

The Straatmuseum, located on Boom Street, was established in 1892 to collect and display South Africa’s natural specimens, cultural artefacts, art and antiquities. For example, it housed a collection of items from the Anglo‑Boer War and the Voortrekker culture.

Instead of remaining a living repository of this country’s rich and complex history, accessible to learners, researchers, families, and visitors from around the world, the museum has instead been abandoned since its closure in 1991. It is unclear whether a proper inventory of the collection was ever maintained, and where these artefacts were removed to after the museum closed.

The DA demands answers on whether the structural assessment has been conducted on the building, what budget has been allocated for its maintenance or restoration, and what concrete plans, if any, exist to restore this National Monument.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would not have allowed this national treasure to deteriorate. Instead, it would have ensured that it remained preserved and alive, because our history deserves nothing less. This is doable!

Gauteng’s most valuable cultural assets, currently housed at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), are under threat due to the gravely concerning plan to relocate them to the Museum of Africa. This relocation is not only premature and fundamentally flawed but also represents a reckless gamble with our cultural heritage and must be strongly opposed.

A recent Democratic Alliance (DA) oversight inspection at the Museum of Africa, which I attended with Councillor Lyrics Mazibuko, uncovered serious concerns. The renovated area built as an upper-level storage area for the JAG collection, is unfit for purpose, with critical flaws in security, climate control, unwanted water penetration, and access.

See photos here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Qualified architects, art specialists, museum technologists, storage experts, and engineers, along with a comprehensive report by the Friends of JAG, have also unanimously agreed that the Museum of Africa, in its current state, cannot safely house JAG’s vulnerable and invaluable artworks.

Moreover, the renovation work at the Museum of Africa bears the hallmarks of a rushed exercise intended to provide Johannesburg with a convenient ‘solution’ for the G20 summit, rather than a thoughtful intervention based on best practices for art preservation. This is not prudent financial management; it is wasteful expenditure that delivers substandard results.

This situation could have been avoided if the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation and Friends of JAG’s earlier warnings about conditions at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, as well as their proposals for alternative storage solutions, had been heeded by both the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the City of Johannesburg.

The DA urges the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, and the City of Johannesburg to halt the relocation of JAG artworks to the Museum of Africa until it meets art storage international standards. We have tabled questions to the department and the City to ascertain how much has been spent on the Museum of Africa renovations and realistic timelines for JAG renovations. Additionally, we have submitted a request for the SAHRA and Art Gallery Committee reports on the relocation.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would prioritise securing sustainable funding and professional expertise to properly conserve, catalogue, and display the Johannesburg Art Gallery’s collection, ensuring the protection of cultural assets for future generations. And yes, this can be done!

This call follows the Auditor General’s (AG) 2024/2025 findings that MEC Matome Chiloane has performed below expectations. According to the AG’s conclusions, the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation achieved 62% of its planned targets despite spending 91% of its budget.

The AG’s report further highlights poor financial management and non-compliance with Section 38(1)(f) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). It notes that the department conducted transactions exceeding R1 million without engaging in competitive bidding, which also contravenes Treasury Regulations.

Compounding this, the department’s audit opinion regressed from unqualified to qualified, indicating a decline in internal controls and oversight shortcomings. Additionally, the department has not implemented four of the six AG’s recommendations for 2023/24, and even after adjusting its targets, the department was unable to achieve those objectives. MEC Chiloane is clearly out of his depth overseeing two demanding portfolios, and this is highlighted in the results showing regression in the department’s internal control.

Moreover, issues such as vacancies in key management positions and late payments to suppliers demonstrate that this department is in disarray.

These shortcomings indicate that MEC Chiloane has failed the value-for-money test. His failure is exemplified by his inability to build or upgrade libraries, combi courts, and vital community soccer fields in the 2024/2025 financial year.

MEC Chiloane should have ensured that officials implement previous recommendations from the AG, including the filling of vacancies, optimal utilisation of assets, and timely processing of payments, as each of these factors directly affects the department’s ability to deliver services to Gauteng residents.

The DA demands that Premier Lesufi reconsider this decision solely made to consolidate ANC’s power after their crushing in the 2024 elections. A coalition government concerned with service delivery would have maintained the separate MEC position to ensure effective leadership and accountability within the department. The Premier must urgently appoint an MEC who is solely dedicated to this portfolio.

A Gauteng Provincial Government led by the DA would have ensured that this department is assigned a dedicated MEC capable of fulfilling its mandate effectively, rather than being treated as an afterthought.

The DA uncovered the shocking state of the Women’s Living Heritage Monument during its recent reinspection. Despite being denied access to the precinct, with those on site claiming the building is under construction, we noticed that the paint on the walls is peeling, and the precinct is not well-kept. This raises concerns about the condition inside the building where the multi-million-rand statues of Rahima Moosa, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn are kept.

See photos here, here and here.

The Premier Lesufi-led government’s neglect of this monument, intended to honour women’s roles in South Africa’s liberation struggle, is a disgrace and clearly shows the provincial government’s lack of commitment to heritage preservation.

This monument should serve as a shining symbol of pride during Heritage Month, a space where our children can learn about the brave women who fought for our freedom, a springboard for small businesses to thrive, and a platform for job creation. Unfortunately, it stands as a R280 million white elephant, providing no benefits to those it was meant to serve.

This is not only a waste of taxpayers’ money, but also a profound disrespect shown to the legacies of the four legendary activists and countless other women whose sacrifices and struggles deserve far better than empty government promises. It also highlights the continued failure of infrastructure across Gauteng in places of historical interest.

As we conclude Heritage Month, we demand that Premier Lesufi and MEC Chiloane stop misleading our people by saying they are prioritising our heritage sites, when, in fact, they are neglecting them and exposing them to decay, theft and vandalism. The Women’s Living Heritage Monument must be fully operationalised immediately.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have fast-tracked the opening of the monument. This would have unlocked jobs, boosted tourism, and preserved the legacy of our heroines.

The over R200 million worth monument was completed in 2018 but remains partially operational despite the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR)’s commitment to make it fully functional by specific deadlines, including October 2024.

As part of our Heritage Month campaign, the DA will reassess the heritage site to determine why its operationalisation continues to be delayed. We will also interact with residents and small business owners operating in the area surrounding the monument to assess the impact of the closure.

The media is invited to attend and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025

Time: 10:30

Meeting point: Women’s Living Heritage Monument, 0001, Pretoria Central, Tshwane

The state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility, equipped with a gym, dance studio, exhibition hall, and music recording studio, had been neglected and abandoned despite costing taxpayers over R54 million since its construction began in 2014. As a result, residents had to commute to nearby suburbs to access the sporting and other services it should provide.

The DA recently visited the centre and confirmed that it is now open and available for residents to use. The facility was found clean and orderly inside, with two safety wardens stationed to assist in looking after the premises and its visitors. Staff members were present, and the gardens surrounding the centre were well maintained. This contrasts sharply with our visit to the centre last year, when it was shut and in a poor condition.

See the photos here, here, here and here.

The DA is proud that its sustained pressure on the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (DSACR) and its MECs, through constant oversight inspections, written and oral questions, as well as community representation, has finally paid off.

We could not have wished for anything but to see this important facility effectively utilised for the benefit of Kagiso residents.

The DA will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the Kagiso Recreation Centre remains a safe, welcoming, and functional space for the people of Kagiso.

The DA in Gauteng remains committed to fighting for uninterrupted access to well-run public facilities that benefit and uplift communities in our province.

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This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, in a written reply to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

See the reply here.

According to MEC Chiloane, the department has awarded contracts to 24 companies owned by military veterans over the last three financial years. These companies have provided various services, including security at libraries like Driezik and Kagiso, and managing events for wreath-laying ceremonies and celebrations for Human Rights and Heritage Day.

A closer inspection of the entities reveals a disturbing pattern of misrepresentation. Notably, several listed companies have directors who were born in the 1990s, making them far too young to be categorised as military veterans. For instance, the director of RE DLALA GAME TRADING, which received R459 156.46, was born in 1990; the director of Intellectditcom, backed with R147 700, was born in 1995; and the director of MATHABATSEME ENTERPRISE, which received R486 349.50, was born in 1996.

This only reeks of a blatant abuse of procurement processes to secure lucrative contracts. It stands as a glaring example of how people in this department will stop at nothing, even exploiting the legacy of veterans, to divert public resources for personal enrichment.

In South Africa, the definition of a military veteran is as per the Military Veterans Act, No. 18 of 2011, an individual who served in any military organisation during the liberation struggle or in the South African Defence Force (SADF) or the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) before 27 April 1994. This excludes individuals born after this period or who were still children during the years of military service eligibility.

The DA will write to MEC Chiloane, urging him to clarify how such a blatant discrepancy went unnoticed or permitted to persist under his watch. We will also demand that he conduct an urgent investigation into those responsible for awarding these contracts and ensure that they face appropriate consequences. This process must be carried out transparently and without bias.

A corruption-intolerant, DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would never have allowed ineligible companies to exploit military veterans as fronts to meet tender eligibility criteria. Instead, we would ensure that the actual beneficiaries receive the support they deserve while also being encouraged to create jobs for others through their businesses.

The DA Gauteng will continue to keep a hawk’s eye on this and all departments that have become cash cows for the corrupt under Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who has become adept at ignoring wrongdoing within his administration.

In response to questions asked by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, revealed that the money was spent entertaining citizens at events held to celebrate Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, Youth Day, Women’s Day, Heritage Day and the Day of Reconciliation.

See full reply here.

Instead of spending copious amounts of money on food and busing people to events, it would have been more prudent to invest that money in creating sustainable jobs to benefit our residents both in the short and long term. There are numerous projects that this funding could support, which would improve the lives of our citizens and help reduce the current unemployment rate of 34.4%.

Moreover, funds could have been better utilised to enhance sports facilities in schools and communities. This could include building multi-purpose courts for various sports and swimming pools in township areas. Additionally, investing in support for Gauteng athletes and individuals pursuing careers in the creative arts would be a more effective use of money than spending it on celebration.

The DA has been advocating cost-effective ways of celebrating commemorative days in the Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee for the department. We will keep pushing for this through the committee to ensure the department stops wasting millions on these events while our people starve and our sports infrastructure crumbles.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would seek cost-effective ways to celebrate commemorative days, such as utilising government venues instead of busing people and purchasing airtime on local radio and news to highlight their significance.

The people of Gauteng deserve a government that spends public money wisely for the benefit of its citizens rather than on events meant to enhance the status of irresponsible politicians.

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The closure of this library is denying Orange Farm residents access to information, educational material, and a space for social interaction, weakening both personal development and community ties. Residents are frustrated because they must commute to nearby townships to access the library while their own is gathering dust.

The library construction began on 17 February 2014, with a total cost of over R13 million. On 24 May 2024, former SACR MEC Morakane Mosupyoe officially opened the facility. However, a year later, it remains inaccessible and of no benefit to the residents of Orange Farm. Meanwhile, money is being wasted on security and maintenance.

See photos here and here.

The DA has tabled questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to the MEC for Arts and Culture, Matome Chiloane, to determine why this facility is closed to the public and inquire about the amount spent on security and maintenance.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would have ensured that Driezek Library was up and running immediately after its official opening. This proactive approach would have prevented unnecessary expenditures on security to avert theft, vandalism, and illegal occupation.

The DA will fight for the swift opening of this facility for learning and interaction. To support the DA’s cause, please sign the petition here:https://forms.gle/FrPE9CpENfQcrjnv7

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reported the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) MEC, Matome Chiloane, to the Public Protector for failing to expedite the opening of the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Tshwane. Despite being completed in 2018, costing R280 million, the monument has remained closed, incurring additional building and maintenance costs while not benefitting the residents of Tshwane and the broader province.

The DA has tabled questions to the MEC to determine why the monument remains closed yet continues to accumulate an annual cost of R12 million for minor refurbishment work. The DA has also attempted to conduct several oversight inspections at the monument but was denied access.

Despite these efforts, nothing has been done to fast-track the opening of this monument, which stands at the centre of Tshwane and should attract tourists and investment to create jobs for the local residents and help empower the youth.

The DA has referred the matter to the Public Protector to investigate why this monument remains closed, which makes it vulnerable to vandalism and illegal occupation. Gauteng residents and the families of the celebrated heroines at this monument have the right to know.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would have fast-tracked the opening of the monument. This would have prevented the monument from incurring extra costs and ensured value for money for our people.

The DA will continue putting pressure on MEC Chiloane and his department to ensure that monuments are not idling but allowed to inspire and remind us of our shared humanity and values that unite people.

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The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) has allocated a mere R790 000 to honour top-performing athletes despite having a budget of R5.2 million for the Gauteng Sports Awards (GSA).

From this budget, over R4.4 million was spent on build-up events and the award ceremony despite crumbling sporting facilities.

This shocking information was revealed in a written replies by Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, to DA questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

See full replies here and here.

A mere 16% of the GSA budget went to empowering athletes, while the rest was wasted on extravagant wining and dining by politicians and celebrities. This is not honouring excellence but looting.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi praises his government for supporting young athletes with quality training facilities but fails to hold the GDSACR accountable for wasteful spending.

The DA has tabled follow-up questions to MEC Chiloane to ascertain how the GSA budget was spent and will push for him to account for neglecting athletes before the Portfolio Committee for SACR.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would prioritise the interests of athletes by investing in sporting infrastructure development rather than wasting millions on single-day parties.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has asked the Public Protector to look into a R5.5 million tender given by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) to Xaba Holdings, a company from East London. This is despite the tender clearly stating that only Gauteng-based companies could apply and that projects must take place in Gauteng.

According to Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Matome Chiloane, Xaba Holdings received R3.5 million to arrange a boxing tournament in the 2023/24 financial year and another R2 million in 2024 to host a boxing event celebrating Madiba as a boxer.

See the replies and tender advertisement here, here and here.

The DA suspects a violation of tender requirements, potentially compromising the fairness and integrity of the procurement process. Additionally, we believe that awarding this tender to a company outside of Gauteng may have denied local businesses the opportunity they deserved.

We urge the Public Protector to investigate why Xaba Holdings awarded the tender despite not meeting the requirements, why local companies who meet the requirements were overlooked and clarification on whether fair and transparent procurement procedures were followed.

In his recent State of the Province Address, Premier Panyaza Lesufi promised to create opportunities for young people and small businesses, however, this dodgy tender suggests that his government is doing the opposite.

A DA Gauteng provincial government would ensure that tenders intended for local businesses are not redirected to other provinces where they cannot benefit Gauteng companies and residents.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Germiston Golf Club be protected from threats of closure caused by financial constraints. It must also be officially acknowledged and rightfully promoted in the public domain as a Provincial Heritage Site.

This historical site can also be used by the City of Ekurhuleni for the benefit of local residents such as multi-purpose centre to nurture local talent from the grassroots level.

This follows recent reports that the Germiston Golf Club, one of South Africa’s oldest golfing clubs, is under existential threat after liquidation due to the unaffordable municipal rates and taxes owed to the City of Ekurhuleni.

The DA Ekurhuleni has been actively working to keep the 127-year-old Germiston Golf Club open to preserve our province’s heritage. We have insisted that closing the club would result in significant consequences, including the loss of jobs for the staff who diligently maintain the facility.

“The DA has now reached out to the Provincial Heritage Resource Agency of Gauteng (PHRAG) asking them to intervene in this matter by persuading the City of Ekurhuleni to discard outstanding debt incurred due to unaffordable rates and taxes and form an agreement with the golf club to pay an affordable amount to keep it open,” says, Leanne De Jager MPL, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sport Arts Culture Recreation (SACR).

We have also inquired with PHRAG about the criteria used to designate buildings as heritage sites and the protections these sites receive. The Germiston Golf Club is 127 years old and features buildings that are over 100 years old. This qualifies the golf club for reduced municipal rates and taxes and grants it protection as a heritage site.

The DA will persist in appealing to all relevant parties to secure Provincial Heritage Site status for the Germiston Golf Club. This designation will acknowledge the club as a critical heritage asset deserving of dedicated conservation efforts. Furthermore , the longer this facility remains neglected it will in vandalism and theft whereas it can be utilised for the benefit of the community.

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During a recent oversight inspection at Cullinan Heritage site, environmental experts highlighted that there could be a number of threatened species of plants, animals, and fungi in this area that are on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, which tracks the extinction of species around the world. The expert’s assessment confirms the three failed environmental impact studies that have been ignored by the City of Tshwane. The city is undertaking yet another environmental impact assessment hoping for different results.

The DA Gauteng has long warned that proceeding with this proposed construction despite all warning signs will have serious consequences. Aside from affecting the rich historical and cultural significance woven into the fabric of this land, we now know that it will endanger a fragile ecosystem that serves as a natural water filtration system and wildlife habitat.

We cannot overstress the need for Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government to put their arrogance aside and accept that they were wrong in the first place to choose this site despite all the warnings not to do so. They would do well to heed the call of the DA and these highly qualified and regarded experts to reverse this decision, which undermines this sacred space in the name of urban development.

Finding an alternative location for the residents of Mamelodi would be a good starting point. Such a move would serve the flood victims’ needs and also protect this land which has significant environmental and cultural value.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have considered the results of the environmental impact studies and the voices of the Cullinan residents who are against this development. In addition, we would have acted swiftly to identify an alternative location for the victims who have been waiting since 2022 to be moved to a safe and permanent site while the Gauteng government continues to defend its rash decision.

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This comes after an oversight inspection led by Kingsol Chabalala, the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR), to the area designated for the multipurpose centre. “During my visit to the site, I made a concerning discovery: not a single brick has been laid despite millions having been spent on this project,” said Chabalala.

See the video here.

This is shocking considering that in 2020, the then Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Lebogang Maile, informed the DA through a written reply that phase one of the project had been completed. According to Maile, this phase included the construction of various layers of earth materials and the installation of stormwater drainage systems. It cost R24 199 592.22, more than half the total project cost

DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala said, “It is completely unacceptable that the Gauteng government continues to make false claims about the construction of this community centre that does not exist. This dishonesty is particularly disgraceful as it misleads the public and undermines the trust and support of the community.”

The project was originally scheduled for completion on 15 June 2018. However, there is currently no timeline for when construction will begin or when it will be finished. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) is experiencing a significant funding shortfall, and the project will be financed through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), but only after approval from COGTA has been obtained.

Unnecessary delays in completing this project have resulted in soaring costs that taxpayers are expected to cover. By 2020, R82 039 449.50 had already accumulated. This amount could have been used to build two multi-purpose centres for townships in Emfuleni, such as Evaton and Bophelong, which currently lack sporting facilities.

The DA Gauteng will table questions to the MEC for COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, in addition to launching a petition demanding answers to the following questions:

Where has the money gone, as it has not been used for the construction of the multipurpose centre?

Why did former MEC Maile lie about phase one of this project?

What is the current cost accumulated by the delays in this project?

Why has COGTA not intervened to persuade Emfuleni to use the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (IMG) for this project?

Why has the Gauteng government failed to give updates on this project?

The petition will be run on social media and can be found here.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng is taking decisive action over the future of the Heidelberg Heritage Museum. In response to serious management discrepancies, the DA will be tabling questions to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, demanding immediate clarity on who is responsible for the museum’s oversight. This step comes amid growing concerns that mismanagement—marked by a lack of a formal contract with the Lesedi Local Municipality, irregular tender processes, and unauthorised sub-letting practices—could lead to the premature closure of this vital national monument.

The future of the Heidelberg Heritage Museum, which has already cost taxpayers over R6.8 million in renovations, is uncertain due to an ongoing conflict between the museum management and the Lesedi Local Municipality. Officially opened in 1995, the museum is a national monument that serves as a repository of local history, preserving artefacts and stories that reflect the diverse cultures of South Africa. As such, any potential closure of the museum is deeply concerning.

We learned of the conflict between the management and the local municipality during a recent oversight inspection at the museum after being notified of the impending closure of this renowned heritage site that has hosted historical figures like Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi.

See photos, here, here, here, and here.

During the oversight inspection, the DA Gauteng discovered the following:

• The current museum management does not have a signed contract with the Lesedi Local Municipality.

• Proper tender processes were not followed, and the current management was self-appointed, based on a tacit verbal agreement between them and a former Mayor.

• Bouwe Wiersma, the current manager, has been investing in the museum, conducting repairs, and sub-letting the space to businesses such as a brewery and a German restaurant without the necessary authority.

• Electricity has been cut due to non-payment.

The DA Gauteng finds this situation unacceptable. The museum should be a functioning facility due to its significant economic potential. Specifically, it can serve as a catalyst for boosting tourism in Heidelberg, which could ultimately lead to job creation for the local community.

Furthermore, the DA supports public and private sector partnerships in running this museum, however, proper procedures must be followed when leasing this facility. This will ensure the smooth running of the museum and that utilities are paid to avoid any interruption of services rendered by this facility.

The closure of this museum resulting from a dispute between the management and the municipality, is not only ridiculous but also a disservice to those who believed in its significance like the former president Nelson Mandela, who officially opened the museum at the dawn of our democracy.

The DA Gauteng will leverage every available resource within the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) and beyond to safeguard this vital monument of our province and ensure that the significant stories it holds are conveyed from one generation to the next.

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The Kagiso Extension 6 Library is meant to be a crucial educational resource for the Kagiso community, but it has remained unopened since its completion in September 2019. This situation is particularly disappointing, especially considering the substantial investment of R19.7 million in taxpayer money spent on getting this library up and running.

This was discovered during a recent oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Sports Arts Culture Recreation (SACR) committee, where several issues related to infrastructure failure were brought to light:

– Construction began in April 2014 and was completed in September 2019, yet the facility still lacks a building occupancy certificate.

– Poor workmanship by the previous contractor necessitates extensive remedial work.

– Despite commitments in the 2022/23 Annual Report to conduct planned maintenance, independent verification in November 2023 revealed no work had commenced.

– The facility is currently listed among the 21% of provincial infrastructure classified as being in “bad condition”.

– The department’s promised eight-month renovation plan, scheduled for completion by 31 March 2024, has shown no signs of progress.

See photos here, here, and here.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng calls on the DSACR to continue pushing the Gauteng Provincial Treasury to prioritise releasing money for the infrastructure of libraries in our province. We will be tabling questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ascertain how many libraries are incomplete, how many have been completed but are not operational, and how many have been abandoned. We will use the information to petition the department to prioritise completing the libraries’ infrastructure and ensure that they are fully operational for the benefit of Gauteng residents. We will also table a motion in the GPL on the library infrastructure to push the department to deliver and the Gauteng Provincial Treasury to release money.

The DA will also send a letter to the MEC of Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, requesting that appropriate actions be taken against the officials responsible for the completion and opening of libraries in Gauteng. We demand that these officials be replaced by a more honest and competent team.

While the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (DSACR) points to budget constraints and alleged lack of support from the Provincial Treasury, the reality is that this represents a decade of failed service delivery to the Kagiso community.

A DA Gauteng provincial government would have ensured that Kagiso library is open upon completion to foster learning, promote literacy, and support the local community’s educational development. We would also have hired competent service providers with a reputation for delivering quality infrastructure projects within the stipulated timelines and budget. In addition, we would have ensured adequate project management and monitoring of projects to avoid unnecessary delays, poor workmanship and a waste of funds.

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