ActionSA concerned about the state of Metro Centre
More than 3 000 city employees had to work from home because of the closure.
ActionSA Joburg caucus Leader, Clr Nobuhle Mthembu, and Johannesburg Property Company officials did a critical oversight visit to the Metro Centre on November 11.
In 2023, the council adopted a resolution to close the centre after an engineering report deemed the building inhabitable.
They cited structural defects as a primary reason and electrical and plumbing issues.
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As a result of the closure, more 3 000 city employees had to work from home, a move which negatively affected service delivery.
After the oversight, it was evident the decision to move employees was properly considered. Visible cracks in the basement and store rooms indicate the 16-storey building is sinking.
Mthembu said seeing such a historic building disappearing before our watch was painful.
“This building was built in 1972 and is the heart of the City of Johannesburg. I don’t believe it’s too late to save it.
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“We will engage the relevant stakeholders from the local structure to the national to ascertain if we cannot save this building,” she added.
“We have seen an element of vandalism has started; we will engage the MMC for safety to ensure the building is secured.”
