The current conditions that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and Licensing Department are enduring at the Randburg Civic Centre are utterly deplorable. What was once a functional council chamber and radio room for the city in Region B has now deteriorated into one of the worst council-owned buildings we have seen during our oversight visits across the regions.
The top two floors of the building have been completely stripped of essential infrastructure – cables, air conditioning units, and plumbing are missing. Water leaks persist due to the theft of taps and other fittings, leaving broken toilets and sinks. Windows are shattered, and unchecked tree growth from the outside is creeping into office spaces. The former council chamber has been stripped down, leaving only a few new chairs, with all lighting removed. The kitchen that once provided meals for councillors is in complete disrepair, with water streaming down the walls, further exacerbating the extensive water damage visible throughout the premises.
In the basement, thousands of licensing documents are stored in what has become a health and safety hazard. This section of the building was flooded and had to be bolted shut due to the risks it poses.
Additionally, the finance side of the building was gutted by fire two years ago, forcing employees who previously worked in designated payment booths into overcrowded offices. This has resulted in long queues and frustrating delays for residents, while large portions of the building remain vacant and could easily be repurposed with proper upgrades.
The safety concerns in this building are alarming. The main entrances have been bolted shut, leaving only two small entry points available. Should another fire occur, the likelihood of people escaping on time is extremely slim. This is an unacceptable situation for the very officers and staff who are expected to deliver a “world-class service.” Staff have even taken to calling the building “HELL,” a sentiment that speaks volumes about the ongoing neglect they face daily.
This crisis is yet another glaring example of the Johannesburg Property Company’s (JPC) failure to maintain city-owned buildings. As we have repeatedly stated, JPC has become the City of Johannesburg’s biggest slumlord. The conditions at the Randburg Civic Centre are not reflective of a
“World Class African City,” but rather an example of extreme neglect and mismanagement. Instead of paying exorbitant rents for departments displaced from the Metro Centre, funds should be reinvested into the buildings the City already owns.
It is deeply concerning that the Metro Centre was shut down for conditions far less severe than those currently experienced at the Randburg Civic Centre. We will be demanding urgent answers from the CEO of JPC on what immediate and longterm plans are in place to remedy these issues, not only at this site but at all regional offices under their control.
The City of Johannesburg cannot continue to allow its critical service departments to operate in these inhumane conditions. We urge swift action to restore dignity, safety, and efficiency to the Randburg Civic Centre and all city-owned buildings.
Dire Conditions at Randburg Civic Centre: JMPD and Licensing Department in Crisis
The current conditions that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and Licensing Department are enduring at the Randburg Civic Centre are utterly deplorable. What was once a functional council chamber and radio room for the city in Region B has now deteriorated into one of the worst council-owned buildings we have seen during our oversight visits across the regions.
The top two floors of the building have been completely stripped of essential infrastructure – cables, air conditioning units, and plumbing are missing. Water leaks persist due to the theft of taps and other fittings, leaving broken toilets and sinks. Windows are shattered, and unchecked tree growth from the outside is creeping into office spaces. The former council chamber has been stripped down, leaving only a few new chairs, with all lighting removed. The kitchen that once provided meals for councillors is in complete disrepair, with water streaming down the walls, further exacerbating the extensive water damage visible throughout the premises.
In the basement, thousands of licensing documents are stored in what has become a health and safety hazard. This section of the building was flooded and had to be bolted shut due to the risks it poses.
Additionally, the finance side of the building was gutted by fire two years ago, forcing employees who previously worked in designated payment booths into overcrowded offices. This has resulted in long queues and frustrating delays for residents, while large portions of the building remain vacant and could easily be repurposed with proper upgrades.
The safety concerns in this building are alarming. The main entrances have been bolted shut, leaving only two small entry points available. Should another fire occur, the likelihood of people escaping on time is extremely slim. This is an unacceptable situation for the very officers and staff who are expected to deliver a “world-class service.” Staff have even taken to calling the building “HELL,” a sentiment that speaks volumes about the ongoing neglect they face daily.
This crisis is yet another glaring example of the Johannesburg Property Company’s (JPC) failure to maintain city-owned buildings. As we have repeatedly stated, JPC has become the City of Johannesburg’s biggest slumlord. The conditions at the Randburg Civic Centre are not reflective of a
“World Class African City,” but rather an example of extreme neglect and mismanagement. Instead of paying exorbitant rents for departments displaced from the Metro Centre, funds should be reinvested into the buildings the City already owns.
It is deeply concerning that the Metro Centre was shut down for conditions far less severe than those currently experienced at the Randburg Civic Centre. We will be demanding urgent answers from the CEO of JPC on what immediate and longterm plans are in place to remedy these issues, not only at this site but at all regional offices under their control.
The City of Johannesburg cannot continue to allow its critical service departments to operate in these inhumane conditions. We urge swift action to restore dignity, safety, and efficiency to the Randburg Civic Centre and all city-owned buildings.