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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
GOVERNMENT has instituted a forensic audit to establish the exact debt it owes service providers and contractors of the 2014 African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games held in Bulawayo. There are fears that some figures could have been inflated, while some workmanship was of such poor quality that some equipment has broken down in under two years.

The Bulawayo City Swimming Pool is the worst affected, as some pipes have already rusted, while digital timers are no longer functional. Steps leading to the pitch at White City Stadium have been damaged and the technical teams’ shed is an eyesore.

Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane told a press briefing at the weekend that the government had decided to conduct an audit so as to pay off the correct debt.

“The government, and not just my ministry, took a position that an audit has to be carried out and once a position has been taken by the government, it’s the officials then that will start the process. I know that my permanent secretary and his finance counterpart have met to discuss that matter and I’m waiting for a report in respect of where they are,” said Hlongwane.

He said government was clear about its obligations to the creditors and would pay. “The second most important thing is that government is very clear about its obligations to the creditors in Bulawayo about the AUSC Region 5 Games and government will meet its obligations. Two very important points are that let’s carry out a forensic audit to establish the extent of our debt and secondly let’s meet our obligations as government,” said Hlongwane.