R600k soccer spree shocks abahlali!

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised Emfuleni Speaker Sibongile Soxuza over a R600 000 soccer tournament spending amid collapsing service delivery.

Residents of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) are enduring constant service delivery struggles due to poor financial management and inadequate leadership.

This information was revealed in a written reply by Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Jacob Mamabolo in response to questions from the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to MEC Mamabolo, the speaker's office spent R606,377.50 over three years: R298,377.50 in 2022, R161,000.00 in 2023, and R147,000.00 in 2024.

Despite the spending, the speaker's office also received donations in the form of soccer kits, balls, trophies, tracksuits, medals, and certificates, which were distributed as prizes to participating teams.

This has raised serious concerns about the misuse of allocated public funds, particularly as the prizes were donated and not purchased.

Kingsol Chabalala, DA Emfuleni north constituency head, condemned the spending, describing it as an insult to residents dealing with unreliable water supply, crumbling roads, and deteriorating infrastructure.

"It's completely unacceptable that more than R600 000 was wasted on soccer tournaments while Emfuleni residents live without basic services. How can a municipality in financial crisis justify such expenditure?" he said.

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Chabalala further criticised the mismanagement of municipal funds, stating that the money could have been invested in developing sports infrastructure instead of short-term events.

"This money should have been allocated towards upgrading dilapidated sports fields, recreational facilities, and community centres. It would have created long-term benefits for the youth rather than funding a few days of tournaments," he added.

The DA has argued that Emfuleni's service delivery crisis stems from financial mismanagement and corruption rather than a lack of funds.

"Our residents are not suffering because the municipality is poor. They're suffering due to poor financial decisions and outright wasteful expenditure by those in power," Chabalala said.

He also vowed to hold the speaker accountable, promising that follow-up questions will be submitted to MEC Mamabolo to obtain a full breakdown of the expenditure.

"The residents of Emfuleni deserve answers. We will not allow public funds to be wasted while communities remain neglected," added Chabalala.