Greenview train station: Millions down the drain after project grinds to a halt
The project worth R102-million was abandoned, and criminals took advantage of the situation and started vandalising it.
Phomolong residents in Mamelodi East say it’s about time the government came clean and explained what is holding back the completion of the Greenview train station worth R102-million.
The station is situated between Pienaarspoort and Ikageng train stations in the far east of Mamelodi.
It was set to improve service to commuters in Phomolong Ext 6, Mamelodi East, as the distance they travel to catch a train would be reduced.
This follows after the construction of Greenview Station, which started in 2011 and was scheduled for completion in 2015, but was officially stopped in October 2018.
Resident Jack Mahlangu said the project had been abandoned, and criminals took advantage of the situation and started vandalising the station.
“What’s left at the station is just a shell that needs to be demolished and built from the ground up.”
Mahlangu said the station was meant to stop commuters from having to walk long distances to catch a train for residents residing mostly in Phomolong Ext 6, and surrounding areas.
“The project was abandoned, and criminals and drug addicts saw an opportunity to vandalise, turning the train station into a hideout since the security guards were removed from the site,” he said.
During an oversight visit, EFF sub-region 5 convene leader, Bongani “King” Ramontja said the state of Greenview railway station was terrible.
He said it was heartbreaking to see a Prasa train pass by the Greenview station to the Pienaarspoort train station without stopping or slowing down. This is while commuters from Phomolong are forced to walk long distances to either Mamelodi Gardens or Pienaarspoort stations to catch a train,
He said the millions of rands spent from 2011 when the project started until the project stopped do not reflect the money that was used.
“The station was supposed to cater to residents of Phomolong and surrounding areas who are currently using public transport, which is expensive,” said Ramontja.
“The train station could have saved the locals a lot of money and created job opportunities in terms of businesses,” he said.
Ramontja added that Prasa needs to speed up the process and renovate the skeleton station, and by the look of things, this is a job that can take only a year.
Anthony Masemola said criminals made away with almost everything at the train station.
He said the station project was stripped of everything by criminals, from aluminium to steel and electricity cables.
Gladys Nkosi said the station is just a skeleton of what is supposed to make their lives easier and save transport money.
She said it was no longer safe to travel past the station during the day and night.
Nkosi said it looks spooky at night.
“It’s a hideout for drug addicts and criminals who also help themselves to what is left at the station,” said Nkosi.
“Criminals have all the time in the world to vandalise the station since there are no security guards patrolling at night,” she added.
The station project was supposed to also create jobs for informal traders and businesses for taxi drivers.
Residents of Phomolong and others pleaded with the government to intervene to allow the project to continue as promised.
The station was also going to be more cost-effective for learners travelling from Mamelodi east to west to attend school.
Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said the stakeholder management team is in constant contact with the incumbent councillor, updating him on the progress of the project.
She said the latest update meeting took place on July 1.
“A supplier has been engaged to prepare designs and documentation to invite contractors to undertake construction work,” said Makanda.
She said Prasa is working with other stakeholders to address the matter, and the project is in the detailed design phase.
“The construction of the project will commence as soon as a contractor has been appointed through an open tender.
“Finalisation of the land matters was interrupted by the Covid pandemic.”
She also said the station lies over two properties belonging to Transnet Freight Rail and Tshwane metro.
Funding for the completion of works will be made available by Prasa to take it to completion.
She added that a resolution was taken by Prasa to construct a new station at the current site of Greenview Station to serve the people around Phomolong Ext 6.
“The existing structure is in good shape to get equipped with the necessary materials to bring it to completion. At the moment, security teams have been deployed to protect the station building from vandals and other illegal activities,” Makanda said.
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