Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Two weeks ago, the Advertiser published an article about the concern that six local organisations have expressed at what they see as the desecration of the façade of a building in Parsonage Street.

During last year, the building at 3 Parsonage Street was painted yellow, and some of the plaster was removed to expose the bricks and stone.

This was seen as changing the façade of a building older than 60 years, which is not allowed without a permit. The owners claim that when, during renovations, they saw the beautiful stone that was originally used to build this building, they sealed and protected all the exposed stone and brick so that the history of the building could be seen and appreciated.

In October, a query was raised by Hon Jane Cowley in the Eastern Cape legislature of the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture regarding the functionality and powers of the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (ECPHRA) in this regard.

In response, it was stated that “any intrusive work on historic and heritage buildings requires a permit from ECPHRA. Any alteration work without a permit is illegal and must be reported to ECPHRA”.

Cowley was also assured that the matter concerned was reported to the ECPHRA Council and that she would be apprised of the decision of the Council on the matter.

Over three months after the meeting, Cowley had received no response whatsoever. She then submitted an oral question in February about how the Department would assist the six organisations and received a reply in parliament.

This stated that the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (ECPHRA) would willingly assist the organisations concerned about the state of heritage buildings in Graaff-Reinet.

In this regard, a delegation of officials from head office, the Sarah Baartman District Office, and one representing the South African Heritage Resources Agency would visit Graaff-Reinet on Wednesday, 28 February and meet with officials from the Dr Beyers Naudé Local municipality. The aim of the visit would be to “ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect the province’s rich and diverse cultural heritage from illegal activities of commercial developers and vandals”.

It would appear that the visit never took place, as enquiries at the local municipality (including the mayor’s office and the municipal manager’s office) produced no knowledge of any delegation from ECHPRA.

The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser is following up on the matter and will report on the visit should it transpire.

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