Ledet building repairs ‘hopefully’ starts at end of Jan
Initially the department requested that officials occupy the offices located behind the building they had evacuated.
POLOKWANE – The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) informed Polokwane Observer this week through its spokesperson, Zaid Kalla that work at the white-elephant Environmental Affairs building that could not be used post construction due to a structural defect over five years ago, will “hopefully” start at the end of January.
In September 2018, officials evacuated the new structure on the corner of Dorp and Suid streets amid claims that it could collapse at any time.
A contractor for repairs was only appointed in 2020 according to Kalla, and has since awaited a permit from Public Works to begin maintenance. The permit was granted in November.
Initially the department requested that officials occupy the offices located behind the building they had evacuated, but the request was denied following claims that asbestos had been used in the initial structure. The central office option was subsequently considered. Reports from staff at the time stated that the main building was however, overcrowded as the department had several strategic business units and agencies, necessitating an extension of space for effective operations.
This provincial department and that of Public Works could not respond to which areas of the building posed a risk.
Public Works spokesperson, Witness Tiva also did not respond to a set of written questions sent to him by Polokwane Observer among which were reasons for the delay.
The site has since been handed over to the contractor, Kalla confirmed.
Multiple external cameras are strategically placed around the building and security officers manning the offices behind the building have witnessed the stripping of some elements by vagrants.
