The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that an unused Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre on Abraham Street in Eden Park has been vandalised and that it is working towards finalising a plan to lease the facility.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini says electrical cables had been stolen, several windows were broken and plumbing pipes had been removed from the building.

The city confirms that security is in place to prevent further vandalism.

“The Department of Community Services is responsible for the facility’s maintenance and management, while the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department is responsible for security,” says Dlamini.

In response to questions from the Alberton Record, Dlamini says the city incurred additional costs because the facility required security. However, he did not provide the amount spent.

City considers leasing options

Dlamini says the city received requests from local ECD operators to use or occupy the facility. However, he says the requests did not align with the City’s ECD business model.

He confirms that the city is considering allowing ECDs to operate from the facility on a short- to long-term basis.

The city is working towards finalising a leasing plan, but Dlamini did not provide a timeframe for when the process would be completed or when the centre could become operational.

The response comes after questions about why the purpose-built facility has remained unused despite being completed in 2018.

According to Dlamini, the facility achieved practical completion on June 29, 2018, but was never opened.

He says applicants had not met the city’s criteria, which contributed to the facility remaining unused.

The city confirms that the facility was intended for Early Childhood Development but did not state its capacity in the response.

Ward 57 councillor Dino Peterson previously criticised the city’s reliance on tender processes, saying local ECD operators may need support to navigate the requirements.

Gizel Bluemeyer, chairperson of ECDs in Eden Park, previously told the Alberton Record that local operators were struggling to secure suitable premises while the centre remained unused.

Natalie Abrahams from the non-profit organisation I Matter has also raised concerns about the facility’s continued non-use, saying it could provide a safe learning environment for children in the community.

The city has not provided a timeframe for finalising the leasing plan or confirmed when the facility will be ready to accommodate children.

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