The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto, is standing in ruins in less than 20 years of its opening. Most of the roof sheeting is gone. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The disrepair of the historic monument, the Walter Sisulu Square, which cost taxpayers more than R160 million to construct, continues unabated.
On Tuesday, DA Shadow MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Kingsol Chabalala and his team visited the Square and witnessed first hand the continued state of decay, which includes surrounding structures.
Reacting to the visible dilapidation, Chabalala slammed the provincial government, saying the neglect of the precinct had been four years in the making.
“The historic Walter Sisulu Square remains in disrepair following four years of neglect by the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Provincial Government. This neglect has left the once vibrant and significant square in a state of ruin, depriving the community of economic opportunities and a valuable historical landmark.
“On Tuesday, the DA conducted an oversight inspection at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, and we discovered that nothing has changed since our last visit as the facility remains vandalised and abandoned,” he said.
According to the DA, the R160 million facility is still without water, electricity, and a fence with some of the structures including metal structures of the facility having suffered vandalism after being stripped bare and stolen by criminals.
He said almost all the businesses that once operated in the stalls had been shut down, and the facility has now become a haven for drug users and other criminal elements.
The Star, which visited the precinct more than a year ago, learned of the lack of water and electricity which has also affected the functionality of the once glorious Soweto Hotel. According to the DA, things have remained the same in spite of a previous visit by former shadow DA MEC, Khume Ramulifho.
“Adjacent to this facility is the once-booming Soweto Hotel, which now hardly receives guests due to the lack of ablution facilities and electricity in the area.
“This facility, which previously housed important South African historical artefacts, a clinic, a post office, and a licensing department, is no longer operational and benefits residents.
“It is unacceptable that, despite repeated calls to refurbish this heritage site and use it as a catalyst for unlocking economic opportunities, nothing has been done. Only a city and provincial government that fail to respect themselves would allow the heritage of our province to fall into the hands of criminals,” Chabalala said.
He indicated that the DA has submitted a petition to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) demanding that MEC Matome Chiloane intervene to ensure this facility is revamped, fast-track the re-installation of electricity and water, and security by fencing this heritage site.
“We will also be tabling questions to MEC Chiloane in the GPL to determine how much is needed to refurbish Walter Sisulu Square, the timelines by when the refurbishment will commence and the completion date.
“We cannot allow this important monument to decay while there is much to be gained from restoring it to its former glory,” he added.
The Star
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za
Related Topics: