EThekwini Municipality corrects misleading allegations regarding the R3.6 million budget for fan parks during the Nedbank Cup final
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Date: 2025-05-27 13:05:34

EThekwini Municipality corrects misleading allegations regarding the R3.6 million budget for fan parks during the Nedbank Cup final

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 MAY 2025
 
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY CORRECTS MISLEADING ALLEGATIONS REGARDING THE R3.6 MILLION BUDGET FOR FAN PARKS DURING THE NEDBANK CUP FINAL
 
EThekwini Municipality wishes to correct misleading allegations made by Action SA Councillor Zwakele Mncwango regarding the procurement of Public Viewing Areas (PVAs) during the Nedbank CupfFinal.
 
The City embarked on a competitive procurement process, using the Single Source Supplier (SSS) System to ensure that fans were able to view the soccer game, following the unavailability of tickets, which was widely explained by the Premier Soccer League (PSL). 
 
The City decided to set up two PVAs at Albert Park and the Durban Beachfront, due to their proximity to the hosting venue, Moses Mabhida Stadium, as well as their capacity to host the anticipated large crowds. 
 
The City planned for a crowd of between 20 000 and 30 000 people.
 
The total budget allocation for setting up the fan parks, which attracted thousands of soccer fans, was R3.6 million and all financial controls were adhered to. To ensure safety and maximum security, the amount covered hiring private security, a stage, infrastructure, a sound system, viewing screens, ambulance and medical services, engineer’s certification, crowd mobilisation through marketing trailers, pre- and post-match entertainment, which included DJs, and fencing as per the approved security plan. The procurement of services rendered at the PVAs also sustained hundreds of jobs, which must be emphasised.
 
The service provider was also responsible for providing a close-out report after the event, which accounts for all the services rendered.  A final report will be tabled before the Community Services Committee. These updates will be made publicly available following committee procedures.
 
Regarding allegations around availability of tickets, the Premier Soccer League was responsible for ticket sales, and the matter was explained at length.
 
The City remains committed to transparency and will always ensure that the public have access to information that will help them understand how public funds are being utilised.
 
The City prides itself for staging incident-free fan parks and providing a memorable experience for thousands of disgruntled fans who were unable to purchase tickets for the showdown, which saw Kaizer Chiefs defeat arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final.
EThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, remarked:
 
“Clearly, Councillor Mncwango is disappointed that the municipality delivered a successful event. He forms part of the doomsayers who were hellbent on discrediting the City’s ability to host events of this magnitude. We want to caution the leader of the Action SA to desist from peddling misinformation, especially on issues that are key in uniting the people of eThekwini.”
 
ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.
 
ATTACHED:  Somemof the videos depicting members of the public enjoying themselves at the fan parks at the beachfront and Albert Park.