MBOMBELA – The once thriving tourist destination of Pilgrim’s Rest has fallen into a state of disrepair, and it is not clear what the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) intends to do about it.
Mr Bosman Grobler, DA MPL and the party’s spokesman on public works, said he was disgusted during a recent visit to the town, to find that little to no maintenance was being done.
DPWRT is responsible for the town. Two years ago the Public Protector found the process, by DPWRT to award shop lease tenders which evicted existing businesses, unlawful and “characterised by gross irregularities and maladministration”.
Grobler explained that the business people who rent buildings from the department used to contribute to their maintenance, but are now reluctant to invest capital in a building they don’t own because they are unsure for how long they will be allowed to operate. Their leases are on a month-to-month basis.
In July of last year the MEC for economic development and tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane, resolved to work with the department to address the town’s deteriorating tourism industry.
Apparently workers have been appointed to look after the town, but Grobler claimed the lawns have not been mowed and buildings are not maintained.
“The caravan park, which was fully functional just a few years ago, is overgrown with weeds and used as grazing ground for cattle. It is said that the park, which is suitable to host up to 300 caravans at any given time, only saw six visitors over the Easter weekend,” he said.
Residents are apparently not charged rates and taxes or issued with bills for water and electricity by either Thaba Chweu Municipality or DPWRT.
Illegal miners washing gold out of the soil found in the old mines are said to be squatting in buildings belonging to DPWRT and vandalising them.
“Safety has become an increasing concern for residents of Pilgrim’s Rest with heavily armed illegal miners encroaching on the town and depleting its resources,” Grobler said.
The continuous deterioration of Pilgrim’s Rest has cost hundreds of residents their jobs and forced them into a life of poverty.
“Someone has to take leadership and maintain the town. It has great potential for tourism in the province and is a possible source of generating revenue,” said Grobler
Spokesman for the department, Mr David Nkambule, said the department was committed to maintaining the historic town in order to attract tourists and has established a task team to deal with the revitalisation of the town.
The task team includes the DPWRT, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation as well as the Department of Human Settlements.
“To date, major renovations were carried out in four phases which includes amongst other, the refurbishment of Royal Hotel which accommodates tourists within the area, rebuilding of the bakery and restaurant which were burned down, renovations of 14 residential buildings were carried out.
” The department spent at least R7 million for the upgrading of the sewage plant, replacing the standby generator as well as replacing the existing compressor.
“In the 2016/17 financial year maintenance work is expected to be done at the Caravan Park and other buildings. In order to ensure that heritage and environmental standards are adhered to during the maintenance process, the department worked with stakeholders such as the Provincial Heritage Authority, Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism as well as the Department of Water Affairs.
“Furthermore, daily maintenance of the town is carried out such as the cutting of grass. The department provides municipal services such as refuse removal, water and electricity to residents and businesses. It bills occupants on a monthly basis.
In a bid to ensure the safety of tourists and prevent illegal miner from conducting criminal activities, the Department is working closely with the SAPS.”
• Read more about Pilgrim’s Rest:
• Pilgrim’s tenders illegal says Thuli
