RESIDENTS of Veeplaas expressed their outrage on Saturday, after they saw Veeplaas Turf Stadium being vandalised by thieves.
Peace Lovers’ FC legend, Mmeli Coko, said that the residents of Veeplaas and other areas were extremely worried after discovering that thieves had started to steal the stadium’s artificial pitch.
“The thieves steal the pitch of our stadium. Every week there are portions of the pitch that are stolen. One day, we will see this stadium without a pitch.
“It took many years for Veeplaas to have a stadium. Our local government paid a lot of money to have this pitch installed. I am very worried to see our stadium in this shameful situation,” said Coko.
A resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he would move around Veeplaas to look for the stolen portion of the artificial pitch.
“These thieves jeopardise the future of our children. This stadium is used to accommodate our children during the weekends to watch the games. We do not want to see our children die of drugs. If this stadium is completely vandalised, our children will have no playing grounds at all. I will also check at the taverns, because these vandals sell these pieces of artificial grass to the taverns where they are used as the backgrounds by their customers when they take photos,” he said.
Another resident said that the members of the community should be united to stop the vandalism of Veeplaas Turf Stadium from going further.
“A plan of action needs to be taken as soon as possible before we see this stadium being dilapidated. Some members of the community claim there is no service delivery from the side of government, but the public facilities are vandalised by the drug abusers who also sell the stolen goods to the community members. This is a very bad and unfortunate situation we find ourselves in,” said the resident.
Real Lions’ legend, Sikhumbuzo Nodongwe, stated that the Veeplaas Stadium toilets have been vandalised, and the result is that they have been rendered out of order.
“Our community members must fight this criminality together. Facilities are here to change the lives of our children through sport,” said Nodongwe.
