Its proposed visit follows an inquiry by OFM News about the completion of the Dark/Silver City Housing project in Bloemfontein. 

Cogta spokesperson Athenkosi Mabona said the exco will not only visit Silver/Dark City, but other incomplete projects within the province as well. Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, Human Settlements and Cogta MEC Ketso Makume, and the HODs will interact with the media on these visits. “Communication will then be issued on when we are going to visit these areas.”

One of the unfinished white elephant projects. Picture: Tshehla Koteli

Mabona was asked the below questions:
1. At what stage of completion are the flats?
2. How much has been spent on the flats?
3. What was the initial budget for the development?
4. How many companies have been appointed for the development?
5. Which is the latest one to be appointed?

Without responding to the questions, he said they’d give information during the planned visits.

One of the painted buildings of the white elephant project. Picture: Tsehla Koteli

Meanwhile, ActionSA Provincial Chairperson Patricia Kopane said it is clear that the duplication of oversight is just smoke and mirrors to create an illusion to voters that the government takes this matter seriously.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala conducted oversight on the province’s white elephant projects. Weeks later, Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Makume, together with Dukwana, also conducted an oversight inspection of blocked projects in Welkom.

Some of the white elephant projects listed by ActionSA in a media statement are:
• R18 million for an incomplete stadium in Van Stadensrus.
• R9.2 million for an incomplete sports ground in Springfontein.
• R15 million for an incomplete sports facility in Lindley.
• The R400 million white elephant taxi rank in Bloemfontein remains non-operational for more than a decade now, since its completion in 2011.
• R252 million that was allocated for Parys Correctional Facility but it remains incomplete.

OFM News