R180m Polokwane Softball Stadium Remains Incomplete Amid Mismanagement Claims
By GlobalZa
The multi-million rand softball stadium in Polokwane remains unfinished years after construction began. Budget overruns and management issues have delayed the project, with completion now expected in 2027.
Polokwane’s R180 Million Softball Stadium Still Incomplete Amid Mismanagement Claims
The multi-million-rand softball stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, remains unfinished more than a decade after it was first conceptualised. The project, which began several years ago with the aim of turning the city into a sports and tourism hub, has ballooned in cost to over R180 million due to budget overruns and allegations of mismanagement.
Speaking to SABC News, Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe acknowledged the frustrations of residents, saying the facility was initially envisioned in 2008 after Limpopo was identified as a potential base for international-standard softball. The project was formally launched in 2018, with an estimated budget of R200 million.
However, by 2020, only R85 million had been made available. A contractor was appointed at R57 million, an amount the mayor admitted was far below what was needed to deliver the facility. By 2022, disputes over variation orders and contractual limitations stalled progress.
“Even if we had approved the variation order, the contractor indicated they would not have been able to complete the project,” Mpe explained. “That’s when we requested the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to conduct a joint assessment.”
The review determined that the stadium would require at least R184 million to complete. A new contractor and consultant have since been appointed, with construction now being rolled out in phases.
According to Mayor Mpe, the stadium is expected to be completed by 2027, nearly 20 years after it was first proposed.
Local residents, however, remain disillusioned. Many view the incomplete facility as a symbol of poor governance and failed promises. “It’s dreams deferred,” one community member remarked, pointing to the idle, half-built structure.
Despite the delays, authorities insist the project will ultimately position Polokwane as a leading sports capital in South Africa.