The DA in Limpopo will submit written questions to Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Ernest Rachoene, regarding the dilapidated and allegedly hijacked buildings in various towns all over the province and whether rates and levies for these buildings are being paid to municipalities. The number of government buildings falling apart as a result of poor maintenance and neglect highlight the failure of the department to fulfil its mandate in the management and maintenance of provincial government buildings.
A recent DA oversight inspection to Ohrigstad and Levubu revealed neglected buildings that have not been maintained. These buildings are an asset of taxpayers that have been neglected, without maintenance for years by the ANC controlled provincial government and now left to ruin. View photos here, here, here and here
In Levubu is a badly dilapidated building that was once the office of the Superintendent of Water Affairs in the 1960’s, later the Commando offices and now has allegedly been hijacked by illegal occupants. It also seems that criminal activities in the surrounding areas originate from this property. According to sources, the water and electricity has been disconnected. It is important to obtain information about this building and determine the legal ownership as well as who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the building.
The Station building in Ohrigstad is in a frightening state of disrepair and clearly uninhabitable. It is important that the physical condition of this building be determined as it seems as if the structure might not be stable anymore and that illegal occupants may have hijacked this building. After various enquiries it seems that this building was leased to Transnet, but the owner of the building must take responsibility for its upkeep.
This situation just highlights more assets left to ruin by an ANC controlled provincial government unable to grasp the importance of caring for and maintaining assets, furthermore, that rent can be generated from these buildings and provide additional Income for a cash-strapped department.
The DA is outraged by the clear inability of this ANC run department to take responsibility for its mandate and will continue to expose the poor management and neglect until it is addressed.