This was after an oversight visit by the provincial chairperson of the party, Patricia Kopane, on Wednesday 15 February 2023. She says her visit comes after concerns raised by residents, fearing the shopping centre will ruin economic opportunities and become a massive risk to citizens. 

Central Park Shopping Centre houses about 48 businesses which employ thousands of people. It is a transit for millions of commuters with a bus terminal and a taxi rank, from where people are transported between Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Soutpan, and Brandfort, among other destinations. Kopane explained the dire state in which the shopping centre has been for years.

"The entire Bloemfontein's water drainage system is blocked to the extent that when it rains, the Central Park Shopping Centre gets flooded – particularly the shops on the lower ground. They have asked for assistance from the Mangaung Metro Municipality, whose officials operate in an acting capacity with no power to make major decisions. Their cries for help fell on deaf ears. The emergency exit points are obstructed by street vendors, which means that exit points would be congested in case of an emergency. This threatens the life and limb of Mangaung residents," she said.

Kopane also lashed out at the metro for not collecting waste refuse that is encircling the Central Park building, a plight felt more by street vendors who mostly sell food around this unhygienic area. She further explained that the building is also inaccessible to people with disabilities.

"To make matters worse, crime is rampant in this building. People are mugged openly and there is no police visibility. There is a Police Station in the building but it is so under-resourced – it is only used for certifying documents," concluded Kopane.

OFM News requested a comment from the Mangaung Metro Municipality and is awaiting a response. 

OFM News