The opposition parties in the area of Matlosana allege that the building is old and dilapidated, with toilets and air-conditioners out of order.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in the province, Joe McGluwa, tells OFM News that it is shocking to learn how the disabled need to be carried up the stairs in their wheelchairs by police officers and security staff as the lifts have been out of order since 2018. He says the elderly, disabled and ill people have trouble getting up the stairs and this resulted in some of the cases being postponed and continued in courts in surrounding towns.

The complaints by the party come in the wake of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 7 February 2019 when he said his government will move to see that the needs of both the elderly and disabled are adequately catered for. McGluwa says the DA conducted an oversight inspection at the building following numerous complaints by members of the public about the terrible conditions.

McGluwa says the party suspects massive and rampant corruption taking place after money was spent on tenders and maintenance but no significant maintenance can be seen in the building. “Temperatures in the court are excruciating in summer and drops to below ten degrees in winter,” adds McGluwa.

“The building is not conducive to a favourable working environment for the staff, lawyers, public, safety officers and police who are supposed to fulfil a very important responsibility to contribute to law and order in South Africa.” He says the DA will lodge a complaint under the Occupational Health and Safety Act with the Minister of Labour and the Department to conduct an intensive inspection of the state of the building.

“Water interruptions are not the exception here and it means visitors have no access to water while waiting in line for hours despite temperatures spiking to over 40 degrees in Klerksdorp,” McGluwa concluded.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Department of Public Works in the province, Matshube Mfoloe, tells OFM News that the competency that speaks to the maintenance of public courts, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) does not lie within the provincial competency but with the national department.

OFM News