The Democratic Alliance (DA) is once again urging the Northern Cape Provincial Government to take immediate action to address the issue of abandoned and deteriorating government buildings throughout the province before more public assets are lost to vandalism, crime and lack of maintenance.
During our recent Provincial Legislature debates, I reminded Premier Zamani Saul that this concern is not new. For years, I have consistently raised alarm about the shocking state of abandoned government infrastructure, including the Nico Bekker school hostel in Williston and other hostels in hostels in Calvinia, Noenieput, and Delportshoop. Unfortunately, these buildings continue to deteriorate, leaving communities to face the consequences.
During the Legislature’s “Taking the Legislature to the People” program in Calvinia, residents repeated their plea for the demolition of the abandoned Calvinia Hostel. Their call highlights the reality that this facility has been allowed to decay into a haven for criminality, while communities continue to wait for action.
Across the Northern Cape, abandoned government buildings have become hotspots for vandalism, illegal occupation, criminal activity, and substance abuse. These structures pose significant safety risks, weaken the dignity of surrounding communities, and represent millions of rand in public assets that are being wasted.
Merely locking the gates of abandoned state properties is not a solution, as these buildings continue to deteriorate and become increasingly costly to restore.
The DA believes that every government property should be assessed, categorized and allowed to serve a purpose or else gotten rid of.
Buildings that remain structurally sound must be renovated and returned to productive public use, whether for housing, government services, community facilities, or economic development. Those deemed beyond economic repair should be responsibly disposed of or offered to investors and community organizations capable of restoring their value for the benefit of local communities, through transparent partnerships.
The government has a constitutional and moral responsibility to protect public assets. Allowing them to deteriorate through neglect represents a failure of governance and a betrayal of the communities they were intended to serve.
The Northern Cape cannot afford to watch its public infrastructure crumble while communities desperately need facilities, housing and opportunities. The time for empty promises has passed. We are calling for decisive leadership, accountability, and an urgent provincial rescue plan for abandoned government infrastructure.