The building has been left abandoned for years and the current owner of the building, Shamira Rinderknecht, owes the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) R24 million for rates and taxes. Neville Ndlala, GTM spokesperson, told the Herald he is unable to give information on the status of the building as it is “an unfolding process”.

“The property was put on an online auction, and we have to await information from the liquidators. “No transfer of property can be affected before the outstanding amount is settled with the GTM. “Whoever gets to buy the property will be liable for the outstanding amount,” he added.

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Business owners near the building told the Herald that the premises are used for multiple illegal purposes and that it poses a danger to them and their businesses. Attorney Stephan van Rensburg, one of the property owners near the building, said he has complained to the GTM on numerous occasions.

”We feel that the GTM is dragging its feet in finalising the matter and that we as adjacent property owners are being prejudiced,” he said. The building used to house national stores such as Checkers. At one stage the offices of the Department of Labour and the Department of Agriculture were also located in the building. The Herald tried to contact Rinderknecht for comment but she could not be reached.