Call for attention to state of Randburg Civic Centre building
Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman is concerned about the current state of the Randburg Civic Centre, stating that it is not suitable for people to be working in anymore.
What was once a fully operating and recognised Randburg Civic Centre is progressively deteriorating into a decisively poor condition.
The centre houses the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) regional office, the licensing department, and an exceptionally busy health clinic, all of which are suffering from the building’s state.
Read more: Randburg Civic Centres work in progress
The top two floors have been hampered the most. It has been completely stripped of essential infrastructure, with cables, air conditioning units, and plumbing missing.
There are constant leaks due missing taps, and broken toilets and sinks. Windows are broken, and unattended tree growth from the outside causes more issues. Birds have even found homes in the empty offices.
The former council chamber has been stripped down, with all lighting removed. The kitchen, which once provided meals for councillors, is in complete disrepair, with water streaming down the walls, further exacerbating the extensive water damage visible throughout the premises.
The revenue department for region B side, which was gutted by fire two years ago, remains vacant, with the repairs far from being completed.
Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) spokesperson Lucky Sindane confirmed that the entity is responsible for the Randburg Civic Centre, and manages all of the City of Johannesburg’s owned properties.
He explained that the entity is aware of the situation the building is in, and is conducting general repairs and maintenance. “We are in the process of procuring material to affect the general repairs and maintenance. Properties are prone to normal wear and tear, which we then address through our repairs and maintenance process within the available budget.”
Also read: Piles of public paperwork left openly at Randburg Civic Centre
Sindane further stated that the building was fixed in the previous financial year to address Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHASA) related non-compliance, such as lights, plugs, air-conditioning, fire equipment, deep cleaning of the facility offices, internal painting, horticulture and pest control, plumbing, and more. “In this current financial year, we are going to repair some damaged lights, non-functional plugs, tiling, replace all damaged toilet systems, and repair damaged doors and locks.”
He added that budgetary constraints experienced by the city caused the delay in revamping the facility. “To bring the building back to what it was, we need to implement a turnkey solution. Unfortunately, the city does not have the required budget in line with the priced bill of quantities. As soon as the city gets the monies needed, JPC will embark on a revamping exercise. For now, we commit to effect OHASA compliance repairs and maintenance, in order to address the safety of all occupants.”
A turnkey solution refers to a complete and ready-to-use solution that eliminates the need for extensive customisation or development.
Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman said that the building has been totally neglected for over a decade.
She explained that the clinic is working under harsh conditions, in a building that is falling down around their ears, the licensing department has to interface with residents in a space that should be renovated, displaced officials are crammed into rooms or spaces with poor to no lighting, toilets are not working, walls needing painting, and it is simply not a space conducive for working in. “This building has been a concern for 10 years. JPC should be upgrading and maintaining it, along with all their other properties. I have been asking for meetings with the entity, and attention to be given. They always promise that the building will be repaired, but… And this has been going on for a year now.”
The revenue department is meant to move back to the Randburg Civic Centre on May 1, yet the building is far from the condition it needs to be in. Harman added that she is looking at the option of work parties, to paint, and clean the building and its gardens, since outside of the building is also in terrible condition, with the paving coming out, and overgrown grass and trees.
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