After spending over R51 million on the now-abandoned international softball stadium, the City of Polokwane in Limpopo has further allocated an additional R42 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

The announcement was made by City Manager Thuso Nemugumonu, during the presentation of the Polokwane cluster’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and budget presentation last Wednesday, 9 April. 

The multi-million rand project was initially earmarked for R90 million, funded from a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which was later reduced to R85 million, for the construction of the state-of-the-art stadium. The facility boasts three softball fields, a practice field, and associated 3 500 seater concrete grandstand A, steel and timber grandstands for fields B and C and associated buildings. 

In 2023, the project hit a snag after the municipality had a dispute with the contractor, Bo Mamohlala projects, which wanted to apply for more than 20% funding, which amounted to R11 million, a request the municipality refused. 

The contractor then terminated his contract and abandoned the project. 

In an interview with the SABC news in 2023, the mayor of the City of Polokwane, John Mpe said the contractor’s ability to complete the facility was affected by the skyrocketing cost of materials. 

“In terms of the stoppage, there have been engagements with the contractor, the contractor wanted the escalating process, and the fact that after COVID things went skyrocketing in terms of material, the contractor wanted to apply for the variation that was more than 20%,” Mpe told the national broadcaster. 

At the time of the dispute, the municipality had paid Bo Mamohlala Projects approximately R50 million, which was 84% of the contracted amount, although the project’s physical progress was only at 43%, according to a report that was tabled in council then. 

And the remaining amount of R1 million was allegedly paid for professional fees. 

In December 2023, the municipality announced an addition of R184 million to salvage the stadium’s progress, however they have been battling to find a contractor.

African Times visited the facility located at the City’s sport precinct adjacent to both the Old and New Peter Mokaba stadiums, on Monday, 14 April 2025. 

The abandoned and fenced facility turned into a white elephant, inundated with shrubs, hanging steel on the grandstands. 

There have been several reports of vandalism and theft at the abandoned stadium due to no visible security. 

The Limpopo Softball Association spokesperson, Moyagabo Mabeba said the incessant failure to complete the stadium has denied players an opportunity to showcase their talent on a state-of-the-art facility. 

“The association has already missed the opportunity to host the National Provincial Championship twice and the Softball South Africa Masters Championships. 

“The association was forced to use the Polokwane Cricket Grounds, and this venue is not ideal for softball, “ Mabeba said. 

He further pleaded with the Polokwane municipality to fast-track construction so that the current generation could use the facility.

The municipal spokesperson, Thipa Selala said they appointed a new contractor last month (March) and will salvage the project. 

“Consultant was terminated and we appointed a new one in March 2025, and the current contractor has been working on external works on the concrete and fencing,” Selala said. 

Selala refused to disclose the name of the company and how much it has charged to complete the project.