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Ngwathe Municipality

The ANC‑led Ngwathe Municipality, under Mayor Victoria de Beer‑Mthombeni, is facing fierce criticism after DA councillor Marié la Cock revealed the once‑proud Parys Town Hall has been left to decay, with floors covered in bird droppings, broken glass, debris and structural damage. This landmark community venue, long a hub for civic events, weddings and gatherings, is now being described as an “uninhabitable health hazard,” prompting urgent demands for intervention from local leaders.

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🏛️ Once Proud Civic Centre, Now A Health Hazard

Councillor Marié la Cock issued a formal complaint on 18 June 2025, emphasising that the beloved town hall—formerly a hub for weddings, civic forums, and cultural events—now lies abandoned. Its floors are matted with bird droppings, shards of broken glass, debris, and visible signs of structural decay. “The presence of bird infestations, combined with structural damage and filth, renders this public facility unsafe and unsanitary,” she stated.

Residents and local business owners are reportedly outraged by the decline. What once symbolised Parys’ identity and community pride has fallen into disrepair—an “insult” to taxpayers who finance the municipality but see none of their investment returned.

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🏗️ DA’s Demands: Clean‑Up, Restoration, Accountability

Councillor la Cock outlined urgent measures needed to rescue the town hall:
1. Urgent Cleaning and Sanitation
Deploy a professional team immediately to sanitise the facility and eliminate all health hazards.
2. Restoration Plan
Commission a detailed structural and aesthetic assessment, followed by a full restoration in line with the hall’s heritage value.
3. Ongoing Maintenance Strategy
Implement a long-term and transparent maintenance plan, complete with regular audits, to prevent future decay.

She urged municipal leadership to clarify how the building was allowed to deteriorate and pledged to submit questions in council seeking accountability.

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⚠️ Context: Broader Service Delivery Failures in Parys

This isn’t the first time Ngwathe Municipality has been called out for neglect. Civil rights organisation AfriForum previously submitted a complaint over months of water and power outages during a heatwave, initiating court proceedings under Section 139 of the Constitution to demand provincial intervention . One affected resident remarked: “We are sick and tired. Water is a basic human right and currently the people of this town are deprived of it.” 

Similarly, the DA highlighted failures in routine maintenance—such as unrepaired potholes and leftover rubble from infrastructure projects—that posed risks to residents, especially children and the elderly . These lapses have cast a shadow over the municipality’s commitment to serving its 134,962 residents .

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🌍 Heritage at Risk: Parys, the “Pride of the Vaal”

Parys is a historical gem nestled on the Vaal River in the Free State. Founded in 1876, its cityscape includes century-old structures, historic churches, and the iconic Parys suspension bridge—symbols of its past prominence . This legacy has helped it blossom into a tourism hotspot, drawing visitors for its scenic landscapes, river activities, and antique shops .

The town hall, a focal point for civic life, was central to this identity—hosting events and anchoring community engagement. Its decline, therefore, strikes at the very heart of Parys’ cultural and historical fabric.

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💬 Community Feedback: “Neglect on Full Display”

Local residents are deeply concerned. One community member commented on social media: “This building is not just bricks and mortar. It is a part of our identity.” Another remarked that the municipality’s absence of action “shows a lack of political will” to safeguard public infrastructure.

Tourism operators have also expressed unease. As one guesthouse owner noted: “People come here for history and charm. But dilapidated public spaces drive visitors away.”

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🔍 Municipal Response: Silence and Slow Action

Despite the mayor’s proclamations of prioritising community engagement and service excellence, the Parys Town Hall remains closed and unclean . Council records dating back to 2014 show the building was earmarked for refurbishment under MIG funding—indicating longstanding neglect .

The absence of proactive updates from municipal management has further frustrated stakeholders. Councillor la Cock warned residents will no longer tolerate “silence or excuses.”

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🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 109 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: Rand Water Completes Massive Maintenance Project Ahead of Schedule, Boosting Water Supply Across Gauteng and Beyond

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