An Alberton CBD-based dilapidated building was, according to Ward 106’s alderman Bruna Haipel, originally a bus terminus with an office and a bus shelter.

However, these premises have been not been used as a bus terminus for more than a decade now.

Having been seriously vandalised, a multi-year capital budget of a vehicle licensing drive-through was then reportedly approved to be built on the premises.

Haipel confirmed that in 2018 these premises were already on the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

“There was a proposal to turn it into a licensing drive-through; all departments agreed and I fully supported the development. There was R4-million on the budget for this and I was very happy. In February 2019 the building was vandalised.

“I handed in a petition to the CoE and nothing happened,” she said.

In October, she told the RECORD she got various officials and the customer relations manager to visit the site.

“They were horrified at the state of these premises, at the people sleeping there, and the fact that toilets had been set on fire. Windows and doors have been broken and removed. Nothing has happened despite all my requests,” said Haipel.

She reiterated that residents are not aware of her efforts through motions and petitions sent to the CoE and that she felt that her hands were tied.

An Alberton resident and regular commuter told the RECORD she was disgruntled by the state of these premises and demanded something to be done.

“You have vagrants sleeping on the benches and there are rats as large as cats that run around. You have no shelter if there is rainy weather, as Council has allowed the vagrants to take over that building.”

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini assured the RECORD plans to develop the area are ongoing.

“The internal processes such as land acquisition are afoot to allow the development of the portion on the land to be converted from bus depot to a licensing drive-through.

“The City is pursuing plans to demolish the building in preparations for the above-mentioned plans,” he said.