Anarchy at deserted Mohlaletsi Thusong Service Centre

Mohlaletse

The multi-million rand under-utilized Mohlaletse Thusong Service Centre, in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, is dilapidating.

According to residents, this is because the building is galling into despair because it is under-utilized and not effectively. The community blames the local municipality for abandoning the center, saying they fear the building is now turning into a hub for drugs and prostitution.

The building was initially planned to bring closer government services and house departments such as Home Affairs, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Social Department, Legal Aid and other services rendered by the Fetakgomo Local Municipality.

However, the center was deserted by the municipality about ten years ago, despite over R2 Million spent towards its establishment.

A concerned community leader, Pastor Derrick Mosoana, told the paper that the facility was meant to provide government services to residents of Mohlaletse, Ga-Seroka, Ga-Radingwane, Mphanama and other surrounding villages.

“It is a pity because the municipality has deserted the center and failing to make the facility effective. This is also cause by lack of maintenance by the municipality that leads to the facility left unoccupied by relevant government offices,” he said.

Mosoana added that they are worried that residents in the affected villages have to travel for long distances to access government services in other places.

“It is a common story for residents of Mohlaletse and several other villages to go to other places to seek government services, whereas we have a center that was built for that purpose close by,” he said.

Mosoana said what is most of concern is that the center’s building structure is decaying with its roof falling apart.

“Vandals are now targeting the building and have started stripping off steel gates and corrugated iron sheets, they are actually stealing anything they can lay their hands on. What we fear most is that the structure will now become a complete white elephant and home for prostitution, drugs and criminal activities,” he said.

Mosoana indicated that they have written countless letters to Fetakgomo Municipality seeking their intervention in ensuring that the center is properly taken care of.

“We also raised concerns during IDP consultations for the past ten years and nothing has been done yet,” he said.

Mosoana said they also raised concerned about other municipality facilities that are in the same state of dilapidating such as Apel Sports Complex, Apel Recreation Park, Fetakgomo Recreation Park, Fetakgomo Tourism Centre and Fetakgomo Library.

“Unfortunately all the concerns about the facilities were not addressed by the municipality,” he said.

FTLM Spokesperson, Kubane Tolo, slammed the claims and said the building is host to Department of Education Circuit Offices, Fetakgomo Youth Brigade and a house to Sekhukhune District Fire Sub-Station.

However, Tolo confirmed that a part of the roof has been blown away by heavy storm last year November.

“Currently, our insurance company is busy with assessment and the blown roof will be repaired soon,” he said.