The new security look at the Ermelo Civic Centre has been one of the burning issues with locals, especially Msukaligwa municipal employees who are aggrieved that the municipality prioritised the fence ahead of their safety.
Last year the Highvelder reported in the edition of 7 October that a new look for the Civic Centre was on the cards.
The municipality said the move was an effort to protect its employees and members of the public.
The Civic Centre will soon be enclosed, and easy and uncontrolled access will be a thing of the past. The grounds are being enclosed with more than 1,5 km of 2 m clear-view fencing with six automated gates at strategic points.
Two guard houses fitted with shatter-proof windows will also be installed at the front and back gates.
It is believed that recent protests and attacks at the municipal offices which endangered the lives of the public and employees prompted the move.
Speaking to the Highvelder, the contractor said this project had opened job opportunities for eight local youth (six males and two females). He said the professional installer is also training the youth to install the fence and after the project, the eight will be taken to attend a course to certify them as qualified installers as part of skills transfer.
He also mentioned that he partnered with an emerging contractor so as to ensure upliftment in the industry.
He did, however, voice his disappointment at the hostility he met with when he started with the project. He found a banner saying: “Warning – do not feed the monkeys” attached to part of the fence. He regards such an action as childish and unnecessary.
Municipal spokesman Mandla Zwane said the R2,4 million budget allocation for the project is from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) designated for infrastructure only.
“The funds can only be used for infrastructure at different basic levels of service. It is also a conditional grant that is awarded to municipalities upon application and approval,”explained Mr Zwane.
Mr Zwane emphasised that by no means did the municipality prioritise fencing ahead of employees’ safety needs, but this was a project approved last year after following all necessary procurement processes.
“This is not the only fencing project the municipality has undertaken.
The Pet Dam, cemeteries and other municipal properties have been fenced and the municipality will continue with similar projects as and when the funds are approved,” he said.
He concluded that employee demands were receiving priority as a contractor had already been appointed for the procurement of the Personal Protective Equipment they demand. He said the the service provider was currently taking employees’ measurements in order to procure the correct sizes.
