THE dire state of the Lovu township’s community hall in section C has led to Ward 109 proportional representation councillor, Bawinile Nxumalo, writing to eThekwini Municipality to seek answers after years of non-maintenance led to its collapse.

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Nxumalo wrote a letter to eThekwini, asking why the Park, Recreation and Culture Unit’s priorities do not align with what needs to be done to bring the hall up to standard. During an oversight visit, Nxumalo noted that the hall was suffering from extensive wear-and-tear damage, gaping holes in the roof because of missing air diffusers on the roof, broken toilets, leaking pipes, peeling paint, broken doors, damaged floor tiles, and damaged showers. Nxumalo said the last work carried out at the hall was parking area renovations in the 2021/ 2022 financial year. Even then, she said the work was not completed as the project’s supervisor allegedly told her that the funds had been exhausted.

“She said that completion would take place in the following financial year. In the next financial year, I visited the site again, and I was informed that the project had been completed. However, I was not satisfied with the standard of work done,” said Nxumalo.

Since then, things have been at a standstill at the hall. In her letter to the municipality, Nxumalo sought clarity on why there was a need to renovate the parking area, which seemingly had no major issues, while the building required more attention due to damage. She also asked how much was spent on the parking area renovations.

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After the SUN asked for clarity on the matter, eThekwini municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana admitted that the project to renovate the parking area and the fence was awarded in July 2021.

“During the 2021/ 2022 financial year, the community hall was assessed and found to be in good condition, with no need for structural renovations. At the time, the primary requirements identified were improved parking facilities and fencing, which were therefore prioritised,” said Sisilana.

She failed to provide an answer regarding the cost of the project. Nxumalo disputed Sisilana’s statement that the hall was in good condition in 2022, and promised to press on until she got the answers.

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