Historic heritage building damaged during squabble
Four people were arrested for property damage that could be as much as R500 000.
Four people were arrested for malicious property damage after a large group of people reportedly disrupted an EFF branch meeting at the historic “Ou Raadsaal” building in the Pretoria CBD on Sunday.
The Ou Raadsaal is a heritage building near Church Square and a source estimated the property damage could be as much as R500 000.
“It is alleged that there was a disruption of the meeting by external parties who damaged the property,” said City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
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He said the historic building was booked for a meeting for the day.
Mashigo said the damages identified were on the ground and first floor.
“The final value of the damage is not yet known at this stage.”
He said the damages identified were to doors, lights, fire equipment, carpets and ceiling.
The building housed the so-called “Volksraad”, which was the parliament of South Africa from 1891 to 1902.
“No damage was sustained to the second floor or any Paul Kruger documents,” said Mashigo.
He said the matter was still under investigation by Pretoria Central police.
In a document received through an anonymous source, the building was approved to be used by the EFF ward 58.
Rekord learnt from a source affiliated to the EFF, who was part of the meeting, that a group of approximately 30 people disrupted their meeting at the building.
She said a few members of the disruptive group were known to be also part of the EFF, whilst some were unknown.
The source alleged that the disruptive members opened water taps, which led to flooding all over the building. They also sprayed fire extinguishers in the building.
EFF regional leader MoAfrika Mabogwana confirmed that there was an EFF People’s Assembly branch meeting at the historic building when the incident happened.
“We can confirm that people who are responsible for the damage were arrested; however, we cannot confirm whether they are members or not members of the EFF at this point,” said Mabgwana.
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