Boksburg Civic Centre conundrum
"They have a right to protest, but it is the ‘kick the can down the road’ attitude of the municipality which is infuriating."
Michael O’ Donovan of Boksburg writes:
A rather bizarre situation confronts visitors to the Boksburg Civic Centre. Not only do they attend to their municipal accounts, but they are also compelled to engage in some unexpected physical exercise.
There once existed a spacious car parking lot right in front of the building, specifically for their convenience, but for the past few months, entry to this has been blocked off. Residents have to find the closest alternative parking spot, often by the library (if there are any available).
Visitors have to walk several hundred metres in order to conduct their business, ironically through the entire length of the forbidden parking space, which must be particularly galling for the elderly.
A shortcut can be taken by cutting across and up the grassy hill to the front side of the building, but this should only be considered by the young and fit.
The apparent reason for this considerable inconvenience to the law-abiding account-paying citizens would appear to be a long-running labour dispute between the metro and casual workers who believe they should be entitled to permanent employment.
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Posters in support of the protesters are taking on an increasingly political stance, and around 20-30 of them spend the day gyrating to the sound of vuvuzelas and whistles about 30 metres from the main entrance.
They have a right to protest, but it is the ‘kick the can down the road’ attitude of the municipality which is infuriating.
It would appear that any attempts at dispute resolution have been entirely unsuccessful, which points to shortcomings in HR management, for which ratepayers have to suffer. This is not to mention the cashiers inside who are being driven crazy by the outside noise.
An additional burden and strain on stressed resources is the presence of Ekurhuleni’s finest, in the shape of two EMPD vehicles plus officers.
Considering protests are held directly in front of the building, restrictions on the use of the excellent car park remain a nightmare.
I honestly believe that the citizen in the street is being short changed by a management which is either unaware, uncaring or incompetent.
Also Read: LETTER: Where is the EMPD when you really need them?
