'Manhunt' launched after building blunder

INSTRUCTIONS have been issued to “hunt down” the municipal official responsible for “flip-flopping” on a decision to sell the old DFA offices in Woodley Street two years ago. The dilapidated building has since become an eyesore and a haven for criminals and vagrants.

Renewed plans have now been made to sell the building “as a matter of urgency”. It is believed that a potential buyer intends to renovate the premises into student accommodation.

Petitions were previously submitted to have the building demolished, as it was reported to be in contravention of national building regulations and standards. 

A 2023 proposal to turn it into an artisanal and skills development training centre — in partnership with the Sol Plaatje Municipality and with a view to creating jobs for electricians, plumbers, mechanical fitters, turners and millwrights — also failed to materialise.

During a Sol Plaatje council meeting last week, ANC councillor Kagisho Sonyoni advised that the building should be placed on public tender for R19,310.

“The building is in a dire situation and no one will want to lease the space, therefore it should be sold. The building is used as a criminal hide-out, while passers-by are robbed of their belongings,” said Sonyoni.

ANC councillor Nomizizi Shwababa added that Sol Plaatje security officers constantly had to inspect the building as stolen items were being hidden there.

ANC councillor Frikkie Banda said the individual who went against the decision to sell the property would be “hunted down” and made to account for their actions.

DA councillor Christopher Whittaker pointed out that council had already recommended selling the building in 2023 and questioned why those resolutions had not been implemented.

“A decision was then taken to rather lease it,” he said.

ANC councillor Robert Kok added that the Municipal Public Accounts Committee should assist in implementing consequence management.

Speaker Dipuo Peters said the building should be disposed of as a matter of urgency, as it had drastically deteriorated over the years.

“Whoever decided to override the council resolution was not acting in the best interests of the municipality and should face the consequences,” Peters said.

Members of the public have also expressed concern about the growing number of vagrants occupying vacant buildings, public spaces, graveyards and recreational parks in the city.

Local economic development committee member Casper Rammutle said the city needed to be cleaned up and homeless people taken off the streets in order to attract investors.

Vagrants — some employed as car washers — have built makeshift homes out of cardboard boxes and are sleeping at Queens Park.