After almost two years of being out of commission due to renovations, the East London City Hall is finally back in service.
Buffalo City Metro (BCM) spokesman Thandy Matebese on Friday said a few final touch-ups were being made.
“The mayoral office, Speaker’s office and their supporting staff have already moved back into the building,” he said.
The project of refurbishing and renewing the 1897 building started in August 2014 after the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) building and maintenance division sourced more than R5-million for the work to be carried out.
Renovations began just a few months after a salary protest by South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) supporters, during which office furniture and parts of the landmark building were damaged.
According to BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi renovation work carried out included replacement of roof gutters, exterior and interior painting, repairs to all kitchens, rooms, toilets, skirting mouldings and replacing all rotten flooring.
When asked why the renovations had taken so long, Ngesi said: “The building is a historical building and therefore repairs to all items had to be purpose-made to match the existing , which took time.”
Samwu branch secretary Zolani Ndlela said the union was happy that the hall was in use again as it meant the end of unnecessary spending on the hiring of venues.
“The municipality has spent a lot of money on expensive venues to host gatherings that were supposed to have been held at the city hall.
“For instance council went to Mpekweni for a gathering held recently and the East London International Convention Centre has been hired on many occasions and it does not come cheap,” said Ndlela.
In June last year the Daily Dispatch reported that ratepayers had forked out more than R1-million to rent alternative venues for council meetings.
According to the article the bulk of the money went to the Abbotsford Christian Centre, which hires out its facilities under a separate business entity, the Border Conference Centre (BCC).
The municipality also incurred costs for new furniture that was used at its temporary offices in Fleet Street, according to previous Dispatch reports.
A Daily Dispatch team went to the City Hall on Friday but was prevented from gaining access.
Matebese, who met with the Dispatch team, went inside alone and came back confirming that the team would not be allowed inside as the hall was still considered a construction site as the final touch-ups were still being carried out.
It’s back to business for EL City Hall
Buffalo City Metro (BCM) spokesman Thandy Matebese on Friday said a few final touch-ups were being made.
“The mayoral office, Speaker’s office and their supporting staff have already moved back into the building,” he said.
The project of refurbishing and renewing the 1897 building started in August 2014 after the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) building and maintenance division sourced more than R5-million for the work to be carried out.
Renovations began just a few months after a salary protest by South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) supporters, during which office furniture and parts of the landmark building were damaged.
According to BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi renovation work carried out included replacement of roof gutters, exterior and interior painting, repairs to all kitchens, rooms, toilets, skirting mouldings and replacing all rotten flooring.
When asked why the renovations had taken so long, Ngesi said: “The building is a historical building and therefore repairs to all items had to be purpose-made to match the existing , which took time.”
Samwu branch secretary Zolani Ndlela said the union was happy that the hall was in use again as it meant the end of unnecessary spending on the hiring of venues.
“The municipality has spent a lot of money on expensive venues to host gatherings that were supposed to have been held at the city hall.
“For instance council went to Mpekweni for a gathering held recently and the East London International Convention Centre has been hired on many occasions and it does not come cheap,” said Ndlela.
In June last year the Daily Dispatch reported that ratepayers had forked out more than R1-million to rent alternative venues for council meetings.
According to the article the bulk of the money went to the Abbotsford Christian Centre, which hires out its facilities under a separate business entity, the Border Conference Centre (BCC).
The municipality also incurred costs for new furniture that was used at its temporary offices in Fleet Street, according to previous Dispatch reports.
A Daily Dispatch team went to the City Hall on Friday but was prevented from gaining access.
Matebese, who met with the Dispatch team, went inside alone and came back confirming that the team would not be allowed inside as the hall was still considered a construction site as the final touch-ups were still being carried out.
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