Public Works buildings vandalised

KAROO NEWS - The DA's shadow MEC of Public Works, Dr Macolm Figg, visited Graaff-Reinet in August to do an oversight of the local public works buildings and was shocked by the vandalism and general condition of the state-owned buildings.

"We will continue to fight for the residents of Graaff-Reinet and other areas where similar situations exist where buildings are vandalised. The residents of Graaff-Reinet deserve better," he said.

Councilor Ricardo Smith, The DA's Chairperson in the Beyers Naudé region and Caucus Chief Whip, said it came to his attention in March this year that the Police Livestock Theft Unit's building had been vandalised. He said he then wanted the shadow MEC to inspect the vandalism of buildings in Graaff-Reinet in order to address the matter at provincial level with the Public Works MEC. "Unfortunately, it was two months before the election and we had to wait for the new provincial government to be formed.

So today's review links in with the review I did earlier this year," said Smith.

Figg, Smith and other representatives also visited Bergendal and the Goldstein houses in Kroonvale and uMasizaki.

Figg said the current state of affairs is unacceptable and not the way that the public works should do things.

"The assets were left abandoned without occupation. Residents indicated earlier to officials of Public Works that they would buy the houses but were not given direction. The houses can be used for skills development or other things," said Figg.

Figg said he would ask the MEC of Public Works for answers regarding the future of the vandalised buildings. He is also going to suggest that the buildings that are not looked after by Public Works, are made available to the community. "Why should we wait until our properties are totally destroyed? We hope to get a good response," said Smith.

Councilor Ricardo Smith pointing out the vandalised building.