Covered parking bays at the City of Mbombela (CoM) civic centre are reportedly deteriorating and unsafe for visiting motorists and municipal staff.

Employees and members of the public have expressed frustration with the state of the parking area at the municipal buildings and are calling on the CoM to repair the structures.

Anonymous staff members claim the parking area has been deteriorating for some time without any action being taken.

One CoM employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said heavy winds and vehicles over the past three years have damaged the structures.

They added that ‘it is concerning that the municipality cannot repair its own premises while expecting the public to trust it with service delivery.’

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Customers highlight long-standing neglect

Gert Oosthuizen, a visitor to the municipality, said the parking has been in a poor state for the past three years.

“There was no need to report the situation, because it is inside municipal property, but I was not surprised because officials cannot do anything right,” he said.

“They need to repair the parking bays, as they are dangerous for workers and customers. They must not wait until someone gets hurt.”

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Municipality is ‘failing its people’

“The parking area is a sign that the municipality is failing its people and those working inside the premises,” said Theo Manzini.

“It is an indication that they cannot deliver to the people they serve if they cannot fix their own parking. I believe the mayor and the municipal manager drive there when they come to work, but they do not repair them.”

Municipality responds

CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala said the municipality is aware that the parking bays are damaged and is in the process of procuring a service provider to repair them. “It should be finalised shortly,” he said.

He did not provide a timeframe for the repairs or explain why it had taken so long to carry out the work.