IPELEGENG, NORTH WEST — Formal corruption charges are imminent for the Mamusa Municipality, Unene Holdings, and Aobakwe Consulting as lawmakers investigate severe delays and suspected financial misconduct surrounding the R10-million Motoro Sports Ground upgrade. The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation recently inspected the abandoned site, concluding that the prolonged stagnation has unfairly deprived local youth and residents of vital recreational facilities for nearly two years.
During the site inspection, a spokesperson for Aobakwe Consulting broke down the project’s financial expenditure. Out of the R10 million budget—co-funded through various intergovernmental channels—R6.17 million has been disbursed. The consulting firm’s representative clarified that R1.1 million of those funds covered an extension of time, while a separate R1.3 million payment certificate was routed directly to the artificial turf supplier. Consequently, the remaining balance does not reflect full payment to the primary contractor for executed work.
Defending the physical progress on the ground, a spokesperson for the main contractor, Unene Holdings, emphasized that the development was always intended to uplift the community through quality sports infrastructure. The contractor’s representative highlighted that base corrections on the sports court have already been completed. However, they noted that the expansive soccer pitch presents logistical challenges; a standard pull-behind roller is inadequate for the massive surface area. Instead, the project requires heavy-duty rollers, a grader, and a water tanker to properly compact the base before paving teams can be brought in.
Despite the contractor’s technical explanations, the implementing agent, Mamusa Municipality, faced heavy scrutiny regarding administrative failures. A spokesperson for the municipality conceded that the project’s stagnation was largely driven by delayed contractor payments. According to the municipal representative, although Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocations were secured in March, the actual disbursement to the contractor did not occur until September 2025. This eight-month administrative lag severely crippled the construction timeline.
Frustrated by the explanations and the stalled progress, a Member of Parliament sitting on the oversight committee declared their intention to take decisive legal action. Citing their constitutional rights as both a citizen and a lawmaker, the MP announced plans to open a formal corruption case against all three entities—Mamusa Municipality, Unene Holdings, and Aobakwe Consulting—alleging suspected corruption and the defrauding of the state.
The committee has signaled that this intervention is just the beginning of a broader crackdown on abandoned public works across the North West. Lawmakers plan to continue their aggressive oversight tours to tackle the rising tide of unfinished infrastructure. The committee specifically highlighted a parallel crisis in the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, where a different contractor has similarly failed to execute an agreed-upon project program for a separately funded community development.