PHOTOS: The Mpumalanga High Court building is 56% done
Take a sneak peek at the construction site.
MBOMBELA – The Mpumalanga High Court is 56 per cent completed and expected to be operational by June 2016. On Monday a media viewing of the partially constructed building was conducted.
It was designed in 2008 and construction commenced on October 18, 2013 on the corner of Samora Machel Drive and Kaapsehoop Road. The building will house five criminal and six civil courtrooms.
Mr Alex Grobler, contract manager of the project, escorted the minister of justice and correctional services,
Adv Michael Masutha, and other departmental and media delegates to the site.
The excitement was tangible as the group entered the building from the holding cells, from where alleged criminals will enter the various courtrooms for their appearances. “The building is divided into two parts,” Grobler explained. “The administrative block has seven levels and is separated from the five-level block in front, where the courtrooms and judges’ chambers will be located,” he said.
Grobler denied allegations that the project was experiencing financial difficulty that led to amendments to the original building plans. “These allegations are malicious rumours and untrue,” he said. Grobler explained that amendments to a building plan are part and parcel of a project of this magnitude. “Changes come as a result of proper engineering. Good value engineering entails reconsidering your options to present the most cost-effective product at the end of the day.”
Construction is expected to be complete by next May and High Court services will be rendered from June.
