The Davhana Stadium in Vuwani remains unfinished nearly seven years after construction began, despite more than R40 million having been spent. The project, started in early 2019, was meant to provide modern sporting facilities and boost local economic activity but has been plagued by delays.
The stadium is intended to benefit Davhana and six surrounding villages. Designed in three phases, the project was expected to give the community a proper venue for football and other sporting events while promoting youth development.
Instead, local footballers continue to play on three dusty fields. A recent visit found the site overgrown with bushes and the pitch still undeveloped.
"We are worried about the delay to complete the stadium. They destroyed the old dusty ground to construct a new one, but until today it is still incomplete. No one in the community knows the reason for the delay," said one youth, Elvis Rivisi.
Davhana Balanganani Civic secretary Steven Chauke complained about the delay and questioned why the municipality was building a stadium when the area did not even have a proper road. He added that residents had been told a new contractor would be appointed to complete the pitch.
"It seems like the last contractor delayed the project, but we will be happy to see it completed," he said.
The project was funded through a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), with R12 million allocated for phase one, which included fencing, solar-powered electrification with backup generators, and road upgrades. The municipality previously reported that phase one and part of phase two, mainly earthworks, had been completed on schedule.
A further R16 million was budgeted for phase two between July 2020 and June 2021. In 2022, a R33 million tender for phase three was awarded to Bics Engineering & Supply. Contractor Livhuwani Nethomboni said the company had handed over the project to the municipality in July this year.
"Our work included building a new block with a grandstand, guard house, ablution block, tennis court, parking area paving, and installing four high-mast lights," he said. "We also drilled a borehole 3.2 kilometres away to supply water to the site. We have done our job."
An enquiry was sent to Collins Chabane Municipality spokesperson Robert Mathye, seeking clarity on the delayed stadium project. Questions included the project timeline, the companies awarded contracts for phases one to three, the scope of work and funds spent, outstanding work, causes of the delay, and when the facility would be completed and handed over.
Despite repeated follow-ups, Mathye's brief response was: "Why are you investigating our stadium?" before abruptly ending the call.