Construction underway at historic, vandalised old court building in Church Street
Residents of Boksburg want the Ekurhuleni metro to take action and preserve the history of the old Magistrate's Court as it has been lost to vandalism.
The building is situated on Church Street and it dates back to 1889 making it a historic site.
According to the SA-Venues website, the building was designed by Sytze Wierda in 1889, who was the chief architect of the South African Public Works Department.
The building was finished in 1891 and was used as a court by magistrates and staff, until being commissioned by the Boksburg Municipality from 1958.
Today when you visit the property almost everything has been completely stripped off, from the roof and doors to the windows.
The ground and walls are full of gaping holes.
According to residents who live in the area, scavengers have stolen the roofing and door materials with some of them turning the old court building into a home.
When the Advertiser visited the area on December 12 there were construction workers on site.
The workers claimed that they were hired by the municipality to fix the building as it’s going to be turned into municipal offices.
Marius de Vos, Ward 32 councillor, said: “The ward committee meeting on December 7 resolved that we undertake to list all state-owned buildings in town for the purpose of preserving these buildings and to put them to proper use.
“I have requested the area manager of town planning to make a presentation on all future and current development applications to the ward committee, which he agreed to do.
“The building was commissioned by the metro for community purposes. A lack of maintenance has resulted in it being in its current state.”
De Vos said he is still waiting for a response from the Department of Public Works in regard to the construction of the building.
The Advertiser is awaiting comment from the metro.
