Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Soccer boss Irvin Khoza yesterday allayed fears about the Mbombela Stadium not being ready for the 2010 World Cup.
Khoza, LOC chairperson, said reports from their technical people are that the construction process is well on track to deliver a great facility.
He said the task team that has been formed will be able to resolve the problems around the construction of the multipurpose stadium.
The technical team consists of representatives from national and provincial government, the LOC as well as the Mbombela Municipality.
"The problem in Mbombela is around the land issue, you are aware that they have relocated the school where the stadium is built," explained Khoza.
The 42 hectares where the stadium is built was owned by the Mdluli Trust, who gave it to the Mbombela Municipality.
"The community are now saying they want the school back.
" The Department of Education is also involved in the process because of the school," said Khoza.
"Concrete work has been completed, but the problem is that workers who were recruited for that project are now demanding their jobs.
"This is despite the fact that when those people were recruited by the constructors, the contract was clear that it's for the concrete-related jobs only.
"We also appreciate the timely intervention of our government and the support from Deputy President Baleka Mbete, who was on site at the weekend.
"The role played by the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Local Government Sicelo Shiceka in bringing all the parties in Mbombela together is a wonderful one," Khoza added.
Meanwhile, Khoza has announced that the president of the soccer federations in Namibia, John Munjo and his counterpart in Lesotho, Salamane Phafane, are now part of the LOC.
He said they will serve on the legacy committee of the World Cup organisers.
mbombela will be ready: khoza
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Soccer boss Irvin Khoza yesterday allayed fears about the Mbombela Stadium not being ready for the 2010 World Cup.
Khoza, LOC chairperson, said reports from their technical people are that the construction process is well on track to deliver a great facility.
He said the task team that has been formed will be able to resolve the problems around the construction of the multipurpose stadium.
The technical team consists of representatives from national and provincial government, the LOC as well as the Mbombela Municipality.
"The problem in Mbombela is around the land issue, you are aware that they have relocated the school where the stadium is built," explained Khoza.
The 42 hectares where the stadium is built was owned by the Mdluli Trust, who gave it to the Mbombela Municipality.
"The community are now saying they want the school back.
" The Department of Education is also involved in the process because of the school," said Khoza.
"Concrete work has been completed, but the problem is that workers who were recruited for that project are now demanding their jobs.
"This is despite the fact that when those people were recruited by the constructors, the contract was clear that it's for the concrete-related jobs only.
"We also appreciate the timely intervention of our government and the support from Deputy President Baleka Mbete, who was on site at the weekend.
"The role played by the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Local Government Sicelo Shiceka in bringing all the parties in Mbombela together is a wonderful one," Khoza added.
Meanwhile, Khoza has announced that the president of the soccer federations in Namibia, John Munjo and his counterpart in Lesotho, Salamane Phafane, are now part of the LOC.
He said they will serve on the legacy committee of the World Cup organisers.