Mogale City Local Municipality unveiled the Mogale Civic Centre on October 23, hailing it as the first completed development under the Krugersdorp CBD Precinct Plan.

While municipal officials celebrated the landmark, Mogale City Ward 20 councillor Mark Trump raised concerns about the building not being completed and said he requested the occupancy certificate, which, according to him, could not be produced.

The unveiling brought together Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo, government and private-sector partners, and local businesspeople, underscoring the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of Krugersdorp’s Central Business District (CBD).

According to the municipality’s head of corporate communications, Adrian Amod, for years, Krugersdorp CBD has faced challenges ranging from deteriorating buildings and ageing infrastructure to declining commercial activity, illegal occupation and public safety concerns. The Civic Centre development marks progress in translating the broader precinct plan into tangible projects aimed at improving the urban environment, restoring confidence and creating opportunities for renewed economic activity and investment.

Oversight visit flags incomplete work

Trump had further questions over the timing of the unveiling ahead of elections.

“On October 22, I conducted an oversight visit to the site in my capacity as the ward councillor. You do not need to be an engineer to see that the building remains months away from proper completion. Numerous areas were visibly unfinished, with substantial work still outstanding,” Trump said.

Trump also said he engaged directly with site managers, who confirmed that the project faces numerous challenges. The most serious allegation raised was the non-payment of contractors by Mogale City, leaving contractors unpaid and disrupting progress on the building. Despite this, the municipality proceeded with a ceremonial opening the following day.

The Krugersdorp News asked Mogale City Mayor Lucky Sele on the day of the launch about concerns raised regarding the completion and compliance of the building, and he insisted it is fully compliant.

“We can assure residents that the building is complete and that the only issue is the removal of rubble and the placement of furniture,” Sele said.

The News reached out to the municipality again on October 29 about the alleged non-payment of contractors and to also provide clarity over an occupancy certificate; however, it did not reply by the time of publication.