BETHAL – Concerns were raised after PR Mr Thulani Maseko, DA chief whip of Govan Mbeki Municipality, together with Mr Sbongile Mathebula conducted a visit to an abandoned municipal building.
The building is on the municipal premises, to be more specific, behind the public library and the clinic.
Ridge Times and Mr Maseko went to the building again on Friday, 11 October.
A security guard at the gate did not even notice when we entered and did not ask any questions.
Rubbish, take-away boxes and what seems like the covers of stolen goods, were found inside the different rooms.
All the windows are broken and the doors broken off.
In the building there are broken and blocked toilets.
Mr Masekos’ main concern is the safety of the community.
“Children visit the clinic with their parents and people have to pass by the building when they enter from the other side and want to go to the library. What if someone is raped or killed there?”
He also mentioned that it is the perfect hiding place for criminals.
The ceiling is falling in and in some places even missing. On one of the walls there are numbers and signals spraypainted which seems gang-related.
While walking through the building you have to watch your step, not only for broken glass, but also for human waste everywhere.
“This not only a safety, but also a health hazard. It is also alleged that drug abusers and thugs are using this building as a hideout and a shelter.”
The DA wants to know what GMM’s plans are for the building.
“If they are not going to put the building to good use, why don’t they just demolish it?”
He added that it was shocking to see a building in such a dreadful state, especially a municipal-owned building on the municipality’s premises.
The community is urged to avoid the area.
