Thieves plunder shops at old mall
Bricks, ceiling boards, tiles, wires and any metal used in the construction of the shops have been removed.
It won’t be long until the old Brakpan Mall is completely in ruins.
Once the pride of the Brakpan CBD, the mall, with its landmark clock, used to feature beautiful flower beds and fountains.
Families could shop, grab something to eat at one of the restaurants or enjoy a performance at the amphitheatre.
Those days are long gone and the mall has in recent years fallen into a poor state of disrepair.
The situation has exacerbated over the last few weeks by vandals and thieves wrecking and stripping vacant shops.
Following complaints from concerned residents and businesses in the vicinity, the Herald visited the mall last Friday and found men hard at work removing anything of value from vacant buildings.
They brazenly continued with their work, in broad daylight, under the gaze of Herald reporters.
Not even having their photographs taken as they conducted their illegal activities seemed to bother them.
Bricks, ceiling boards, tiles, wood, wires and any metal used in the construction of the shops have been removed.
It is suspected the men are selling the salvaged items.
While some of the shops are still in the process of being stripped, others are already empty shells.
There is also evidence that thieves are attempting to strip the clock of its metal components.
In an email addressed to City of Ekurhuleni officials and seen by the Herald, a representative from a company in nearby Kingsway Avenue described the situation as ‘beyond scary and very disturbing to the eye.’
He also wrote that some prospective clients have cancelled visits to their offices as a result of the situation and pleaded with the municipality to take action.
The men involved in the stripping of the buildings are sleeping in the shops and the Herald noticed clothing, bedding and other personal belongings in some of the buildings.
The mall is also strewn with rubbish and a foul stench fills the air.
In addition, the actions of the thieves and vandals have raised safety concerns and there are fears the buildings may collapse.
This was a reality in 2018 when a roof at the mall collapsed and two people were injured.
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Following this incident, the kiosks at the mall, which had become a haven for drug users and vagrants, were demolished.
The mall continues to be a refuge for the homeless, as well as drug dealers and other nefarious characters.
Brandon Pretorius, DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, told the Herald the state of affairs at the mall is sad.
“The piece of property belonging to different stakeholders has now seen the end of its existence,” he said.
He recalled a visit by the mayor Mzwandile Masina and officials to the mall in 2018, whereby ‘promises and commitments’ were made.
“Yet here we are today. The total disregard of the individuals demolishing or stealing the structures is shocking,” he said.
“What is even more shocking is that the authorities have also decided to do nothing.
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“In 2018, the first intervention said to take place was that the site would have been paved and closed off, restricting access to vehicles.
“The mayor also questioned the property’s future and commented it could be economically beneficial if utilised correctly.
“It was also mentioned that a precinct was being compiled to ensure the area is uplifted and economically active again. This was all only lip service and lies.
“The mayor has made it clear that the ANC-run administration of Ekurhuleni is only capable of doing one thing and that is wasting taxpayer’s money.”
Comment has been requested from the City of Ekurhuleni and will be published once it has been received.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
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