Mayor pledges to probe Glenmore facility claims

NGQUSHWA’S mayor has pledged to intervene in a row over the Glenmore sports facility that has disgruntled people of the Tyhefu region near Peddie for the past two years.

Two weeks ago, 1 000 residents from the four villages that make up the region, held an anti-corruption march and submitted a petition to council speaker Nombuyiselo Magingxa demanding intervention and action over their claim that funds were misused for the upgrade of the sports facility, which left it in worse shape than before.

Last month, an independent quality assessment report carried out on the sports facility suggested that despite having recently undergone a R2.5million upgrade, the real value of the work done was only R1.6-million.

The contractor responsible for the upgrade and rehabilitation of the facility was Mgunculu Trading, which is owned by ANC Amathole region treasurer Onke Mgunculu.

On Thursday, mayor Mnikelo Siwisa responded to the petition by assuring residents that steps to rectify the issue are on the cards.

“I will see that Glenmore will be restored to the original specifications and maintained for the continued use of all who wish to use the facilities. To this end, council has resolved, on March 26, that a forensic investigation be conducted to determine any failures that may have resulted in, or contributed to the current problem.”

Siwisa said Mgunculu had pledged support for the investigation and would cooperate in the process.

In March, Mgunculu told the Dispatch he was disputing the findings of a technical report that was independently carried out by Buchule Design Studios, an architectural company.

Buchule had been assigned by Afesis-Corplan, a NGO that was conducting a social audit in the area.

Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Mgunculu said he was pleased by the municipality’s intervention as it would help to clear his name.

“I welcome it. Most people think I’ve done something wrong but I did my work based on the requirements of the contract and that is why I have my certificate [of completion].”

Mgunculu claimed he was being made to pay for what he believed was the municipality’s faults.

“I built the facility well. I handed over the facility to the municipality and they failed to maintain it, now people point fingers at me.”

The sports facility, once known for its vibrant tournaments, has been closed since February 2016.