Committee Chairperson, Joe Serekoane, said the City Hall and the precinct have tremendous heritage and historical value. He says the committee is the legal guardian of all such sites and therefore sent a letter to the municipality. “I explained to the municipality that the whole area is protected under several sections of the law and an order of repair should thus be issued,” he explained.

Serekoane said while the municipality is preparing to start the process of repairing the Hall, its remains should, however, be protected to make sure no further damages occur. He said the committee thus asked that security should be placed at the scene.

Extensive damage was done to the building and an investigation into the blaze is still ongoing. The cost of the damage has not yet been determined.

Serekoane said the municipality has seven days to respond to the letter. The municipality will also have to follow very strict rules when it comes to the repair, maintenance or restoration of such important sites. “The municipality will not be able to touch that building without the necessary permit from the committee,” he said. Serekoane said the committee is the legal guardian of heritage sites, buildings and any artifacts with historical and heritage value. He says one of the conditions for any work on such a site is that the architect who is working on the building, should have heritage experience and be on the site full-time.

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