This as concerns that the building – known as the new China Mall – is not suitable for offices. Spokesperson for the Education Department, Howard Ndaba, dismissed this and other concerns relating to inaccessibility because it’s located far from the other government department buildings and public transport facilities.

The new building – called the N8 Gateway Office Park – is situated at the corner of Rudolf Greyling and AW Louw Avenue in Estoire, Bloemfontein.

The 9-year-and-11-months contract – signed by Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela - states that the rent will cost more than R2.4 million per month. Annually it will cost the department more than R28.8 million. Ndaba said the move of offices – partly housed at a Public Works building, the Fidel Castro Building –  was necessitated by the “increased human resources” of the directorate “in response to dealing with examination matters”.  
 
OFM News submitted detailed questions to the Education Department. Ndaba said complaints about the leaking roof were attended to and the move has started and is still ongoing.  He said the premier signed the contract and as custodian department, the provincial department of Public Works and Infrastructure is responsible for interrelated costs. 

The contract states that the lease period officially started on 1 July 2020.

OFM News