The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) warns that the deplorable condition of several community halls in the Lekwa Local Municipality (which includes Morgenzon and Standerton) poses a serious and immediate danger to residents, community members and staff.
The roof of the Extension 6 Community Hall has already collapsed, while the roof of the main Town Hall was damaged during a storm four years ago and has never been repaired.
The Stanwest Community Hall is in an equally poor condition due to years of neglect. Large parts of its ceilings caving in during meetings is not an uncommon occurrence, exposing community members to a serious risk of injury.
These halls are not only used for meetings, but are also rented out for private functions. In addition, security guards and cleaners work in the buildings ever day.
In April 2025, the Freedom Front Plus brought a formal motion calling for urgent steps to address these safety issues. The motion was initially declared “lost”, but after constant pressure it was eventually tabled to Council as an ordinary item. It was unanimously resolved that all affected halls should immediately be closed to the public pending a thorough structural and safety inspection.
Despite this resolution, no steps have been taken. The fact that the buildings are still in use does not only constitute administrative negligence, but also a gross violation of a binding council resolution and the relevant legal framework.
In terms of the Municipal Systems Act, the Municipality is obliged to implement council resolutions, while section 152 of the Constitution stipulates that municipal services must be delivered safely and sustainably. Failure to comply undermines the rule of law and amounts to serious maladministration, subordinating public safety to officials’ own agendas.
The Freedom Front Plus will soon table another motion to enforce the existing council resolution, and demand the immediate closure of all unsafe halls, an independent structural assessment by qualified engineers and a comprehensive public report on the condition of the facilities.
Should anyone be injured, the Municipality could be held liable for damages due to gross negligence.
Officials who deliberately disregard council resolutions face consequence management in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Public safety cannot be sacrificed for political convenience or administrative dysfunction.
Council resolutions are binding and must be implemented. The Freedom Front Plus will not stand idly by while lives are needlessly endangered.
