While walking in the CBD, residents of Mbombela took notice of an unexpected safety threat over the past few weeks. This is due to the north-eastern wall of the local police station which has started to disintegrate. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing bricks fall from where they came loose on the seventh floor of the building.
An employee of the City Improvement District (CID), who does not want to be named, expressed his concern to Nelspruit Post. “We can try to keep our CBD safe from muggers, thieves and violence. We can employ safety ambassadors from the CID. But now the people of Mbombela also face the threat of bricks falling on their heads and killing them with the impact – I saw four or five of them fall from the wall myself.”
Nelspruit Post contacted the provincial police spokesman, Brig Selvy Mohlala, who confirmed that the situation had been reported to the Department of Public Works. He added that SAPS did not have the authority to proceed with fixing the problem without the assistance of the department. “The SAPS cannot tamper with the building, or fix it, as it belongs to the department. Even if a building cracks, it is not the SAPS’ problem to solve, but that of the department. They must report the situation to the department of public works, who must direct which action should be taken.”
Mohlala, however, could not confirm whether any progress had been made. No contract workers were employed at the scene when Nelspruit Post paid a visit to the police station yesterday.
A local pre-primary school class was scheduled to visit the station yesterday. Organisers were outraged when they reached the station, as this situation was never communicated to them by the police. The trip was delayed as entrance to the station via an alternative route was arranged. Mr Zwelethu Twala (27), an eyewitness, was shocked at the state of the building. “If a brick falls on someone’s head, it will crack his skull. He’ll have blood on his brain and may die. This is very dangerous.” The paper’s queries to the department have remained unanswered.
