Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho by Cllr Moshe Lefuma.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maluti-a-Phofung condemns the municipality’s blatant disregard for the plundering and destruction of local heritage sites. The Harrismith Town Hall is a National Heritage site that the ANC-run municipality has failed to secure and protect in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999.
ANC-run Maluti-a-Phofung has repeatedly acknowledged and reassured the public that they will see to the safeguarding of these sites, yet years later the once exquisite Town Hall is dilapidated and neglected. People have broken in and used it for shelter, and wooden floorboards and panelling are being used as firewood. Imported velvet fabric stage curtains are torn and used as bedding.
Millions were spent on the total refurbishment of this building. Great care was taken to ensure that historical details were kept intact. Within a couple of years, this heritage site is a pile of bricks. Maluti-a-Phofung clearly takes no pride in its infrastructure and heritage sites, a reflection of their equal disregard for service delivery in the metro.
We will continue to apply pressure on the municipality in the council to ensure that the little that is left of the Harrismith Town Hall is kept safe until refurbishment can take place once again.
The DA is committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urges all residents to vote in the 2024 elections on 29 May 2024.