FOLLOW UP: No money to fix town hall but thanks for your ‘active citizenry’
"The city is still recovering from the effects of the economic downturn and Covid19, which both affected the public negatively."
The CoE said the refurbishment of the Benoni Town Hall remained a priority but had not allocated funds for the facility’s refurbishment in the current financial year due to budget constraints.
The city blamed the state of the once bustling and stately facility on vandalism, allegedly caused by the homeless who were housed there during the Covid-19 pandemic, adding fewer bookings was the reason the facility had been unused for over 10 years.
Despite renewed hope that it will be restored back to its immaculate beauty, it’s in an appalling condition, as the Benoni City Times has discovered during several visits there.
The once luscious green gardens are full of thick vegetation and overgrown grass while there are lots of structural damages to the interior and exterior of the building.
The Benoni City Times spoke to the city following the initial phase of the town hall revival, led by the Benoni Town Hall Revival NGO, Clean Projects and the Elevation Hub, on January 21, where concerned community members and various organisations cleaned-up the pavement and trimmed the trees surrounding the facility.
The municipality was asked whether it wasn’t embarrassed that rate-paying citizens and community organisations are organising themselves to provide services it’s failing to provide.
Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they were concerned by the state of the facility and explained the city’s finances were negatively affected by the economic downturn and Covid-19.
“Indeed, it becomes a concern. But the city is still recovering from the effects of the economic downturn and Covid-19, which both affected the public negatively, especially when it comes to income and therefore the coffers of the metro,” said Dlamini.
Responding to accusations the city was deliberately neglecting historical facilities in the metro, Dlamini replied, “There cannot be any truth in these malicious claims. We remain proud of our heritage as a city and we will our best to maintain them”.
Dlamini thanked the public for their “active citizenry”.
Also Read: Ekurhuleni launces Harambee Phase 1A permanent compensation negotiations
Also Read: Boksburg North officers make another court appearance
