Historic station in shocking state

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Many residents are saddened by the poor state of the old station building in Graaff-Reinet, and recently the deterioration seems to have accelerated at a rapid pace.

The once-magnificent historic railway station is now just a derelict shell of its former self.

There used to be guards at the building, but local photographer Charlene Prinsloo, who used to use the building regularly for photo shoots, says that she hasn't seen any for many months.

When the newly renovated Shongololo Express stopped in Graaff-Reinet at the end of August 2016, hope abounded that an investment would be made in the property which would see the building restored, however, nothing materialised.

Although most of the rooms at that stage were dirty and run down, the window and door frames and roof were still intact.

Between November and December last year, window frames had been broken out, and some of the roof tiles had been removed. By the end of January this year, almost the entire roof had disappeared!

The Graaff-Reinet Photography Club had an outing there a while ago, but Prinsloo has said that they no longer use the building for photoshoots as she does not feel safe there.

"I am really heartsore, as it is just such a beautiful building with such great potential," she said, echoing the opinion of many local residents.

The Advertiser has contacted landowners Transnet to ask if the organisation is aware of what is happening, and what their plans are for the building.

A very prompt response was received, two weeks ago, from Nompumelelo Kunene in their Durban office, that she was referring the matter to Mike Asefovitz, the Senior Manager Communication and Media at Transnet Freight Rail in Johannesburg.

However, despite several e-mails to Asefovitz, not even an acknowledgement has been received.