A dispute between a contractor and the Department of Public Works is apparently delaying the renovations at the Musina Magistrate's Court. The building is in such a dilapidated state that workers find completing basic tasks difficult.
During a visit by members of the Public Service Association (PSA) last Thursday, the problems staff must endure were very clear. Offices that used to accommodate one or two staff members now have to cater for four or five people.
"We could not believe the conditions workers are currently subjected to at the Musina Magistrate's Court. As one walks into the courtyard, one is welcomed by piles of stones and rubble and unprotected trenches that were dug three years ago," said John Teffo, PSA manager in Limpopo.
Thami Mchunu from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure responded to media enquiries this week and explained that the delay was caused by a legal dispute. The department opted to terminate the contract of the company appointed to do the renovations because of alleged poor performance in January 2019. In June/July 2019, the contractor served court papers on the department, effectively halting the process to appoint a new contractor. "This matter is currently before the court. There is indeed no progress. Due to the lockdown the courts only entertained urgent matters," Mchunu said. He was optimistic that, since the country has moved to level 1, the court will start moving on this matter.
When Limpopo Mirror visited the court building last week, the decay was very visible. Most of the toilets are not working except the one for disabled people, which is now used by staff members and the public. Some of the rooms have no lights, forcing workers to use their phone lights when searching for files. In rooms that are under renovation, files are lying all over, including files marked as confidential.
"This makes it very difficult to locate files whenever we need information, because the files are not in order. It will take days to locate a file that could be needed," said a shop steward while holding and dusting a file that was in one of the rooms under renovation. She also reckoned that the part of the building posed a danger to the workers. She was referring to one of the roofs that was supported with stacked bricks to prevent it from falling down.
Workers contracted to a private company that is responsible for cleaning the complex are currently on a go-slow strike. "We are not paid regularly. The contractor expects us to do the work, but he does not mind our welfare. Currently, I walk to work every day. I have no money for taxis," said one of the cleaners.
A representative of the cleaning company denied not paying its workers. He said that the delay in paying workers had only happened last month, but this would soon be resolved.