The DA in Capricorn District has recently received responses on written questions on the status of the Motumo trading post and costs involved in the rehabilitation of the heritage site by the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM).
The Motumo Trading Post, next to the N1 near Botlokwa, is a CDM project, which was initiated in 2003 by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
The two phases developed between 2006 and 2009 has cost R22 million to date, but remains non-operational. (See photos here, here and here)
A further expense of more than R7 million was spent just before the 2010 soccer world cup.
The facility was officially handed over by the then Mayor in 2006 but now lies idle.
The municipality took a resolution to seek potential strategic partners to assist in reviving the site so that it becomes usable to the community and assist in bringing economic growth and much needed jobs to the area.
Capricorn District municipality has injected a further R 1 401 693.63 into the rehabilitation of the trading post, including:
- R 401 693.63 for electricity reconnection, however during an oversight no visible evidence of electricity was found;
- R 1 000 000.00 was spent on a questionable boundary wall. (See photo)
The municipality still has not restored the water reconnection.
The DA will write to the Public Protector to investigate this project since its inception.
It is unacceptable that during heritage and tourism month no benefit is derived from this heritage site at a time where job creation is critical in our rural areas.