This after the Free State Heritage Committee issued a communication to the municipality urging for the repair of the building, and 24 hours protection of the remains to make sure no further damage occurs. Chairperson of the Heritage Committee, Joe Serekoane, says the committee is the legal guardian of the City Hall because of its heritage status. He adds that the municipality has been made aware of the legal implications on the damage to the City Hall.

 “If any built material that is protected by section 34 get burned, damages, demolished or whatever the case might be, it is my responsibility to get in contact with the owner of the building, which in this case is the municipality. The municipality must tell us how they are going to restore the place to its original status, because the Act will require any declared sites that get damaged to be restored to its original status.”

Serekoane says they have made the municipality aware of the legal implications of the damage caused to the heritage site. He says this includes the fact that the municipality has to put measures in place to ensure that the building does not suffer any further damages.

The Mangaung Metro Municipality is yet to respond to OFM News’ enquiries on the matter.

OFM News