Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jose Coetzee and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached video here.
The DA in Setsoto will write to the municipality to urgently inspect and secure vandalised government-owned buildings, establish accountability for their deterioration, and, where possible, restore or repurpose affected properties.
Following our concerns about outstanding municipal accounts owed by national and provincial government departments to Setsoto Local Municipality, the DA is highlighting another serious failure: the deterioration and vandalism of government-owned buildings within the municipality.
Buildings intended to serve the public and used for government purposes have been vandalised to the point that they can no longer fulfil their intended purpose, and restoring them will cost taxpayers millions of rand. Continued neglect allows further damage and increases rehabilitation costs.
In a written response to a Rule 52 question, Setsoto admitted it does not have a comprehensive list of abandoned, vacant, or vandalised state-owned properties. It further confirmed that it had not conducted physical inspections of known properties to establish their condition or determine whether they pose health and safety risks.
The municipality also admitted it had issued no enforcement notices and had not corresponded with the relevant property owners or departments. The municipality has committed to act since the matter was brought to its attention, which raises a serious question: why were these properties allowed to deteriorate without earlier intervention?
These destroyed government-owned buildings present more than an eyesore. Their condition, damaged structures, exposed electrical installations, broken glass and unsecured openings may endanger residents, particularly children. Unsecured premises have also created opportunities for unlawful occupation, criminal activity, and further theft of public assets, and this occurs within a community surrounded by community members and their children, causing severe alarm for the safety of other residents.
Furthermore, accumulated waste, damaged sanitation systems and overgrown grounds can create additional health and fire risks.
These risks require urgent inspection. The absence of an assessment does not prove a building is safe.
The loss of usable public facilities also undermines service delivery. Money that could support essential services may instead be diverted to repair damage, replace stolen infrastructure, or demolish buildings that are no longer economically repairable, and outstanding financial obligations further worsen the situation.
Responsibility must be established for both the departments that own or control these properties and the municipality’s failure to inspect and address potential hazards within its area. Public ownership cannot excuse leaving dangerous premises unsecured.
The DA calls for:
- An urgent inspection of affected properties, with structural, electrical, fire and public health assessments where necessary.
- Immediate measures to secure dangerous premises and prevent unauthorised access.
- A verified register identifying each affected property, its responsible department, condition and
intended future use.
- Costed plans for rehabilitation, repurposing or demolition where justified, with clear deadlines and responsible officials.
- An investigation into failures to safeguard these assets, including whether reported theft and
- vandalism have been referred to the police.
- Regular reporting to Council on action taken, expenditure and progress.
Residents deserve an explanation of how public assets reached this condition and a clear plan to prevent further losses and ensure residents’ safety. Taxpayers should not be left to fund escalating repair bills.
Meanwhile, government departments and municipal officials delay action.
The DA will continue to pursue accountability and press for these properties to be secured, assessed and returned to productive use wherever possible.