The Emfuleni Local Municipality has spent R48 429 722.00 from 2009 to date on what is now a derelict park in Vereeniging.
Dickenson Park was supposed to be a precinct for the local residents to enjoy – equipped with a stage for performances, a clubhouse, VIP parking, reception and a ticketing building.
The lavish designs included ablution facilities elevated by columns which were supposed to be accessed via lifts.
But R48 million later and this is what Dickenson Park looks like. Click here, here, here and here to view images.
The DA recently conducted an oversight visit to view the precinct that has been completely abandoned. A lone security officer is guarding the precinct.
According to a response from Cooperative Governance MEC, Paul Mashatile, the initial budget for the park was just over R27 million – 8 years ago.
Renovations at the park started in February 2009, yet it still remains a pipe dream for the community.
It is disgraceful that the Emfuleni Local Municipality has spent almost R50 million on a park that is unfinished.
This is yet again a “sorry story” of the ANC administration in Emfuleni. The municipality cannot pay R70 million to Randwater to prevent the taps from running dry, yet it can waste the residents’ rates and taxes on a lavish park.
The DA will, over the coming weeks, reveal further information relating to Dickenson Park.
Mayor Simon Mofokeng must do the honourable thing, take his pension and resign from public office for good. He lacks the political will to tackle these issues in Emfuleni.
We will not stand by and watch how officials and politicians in Emfuleni sit on their hands and abuse public money.