DA says Old Sharpeville police station heritage site is in shambles

SHARPEVILLE - The DA in Gauteng says as the country still celebrates Human Rights Month which is grounded in the remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre, the Old Sharpeville police station heritage site in the Vaal Triangle is in shambles. The party describes this as an insult to the selfless victims of the massacre. The DA’s Kingsol Chabalala says this is because of the provincial Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation stopping the maintenance and operational grant for this precinct. Chabalala says this action by the department is denying Sharpeville residents an opportunity to benefit from this facility which has the potential of boosting the local economy. It can attract investors to create employment opportunities for unemployed residents, particularly the youth. The Old Sharpeville Police Station was declared a Grade IIII Provincial Heritage Site and later recognized as a National Heritage Site. The Human Rights Precinct, including the Old Sharpeville Police Station, has been nominated by UNESCO to become a World Heritage Site. He says the facility was handed over to the Emfuleni Local Municipality when the new Sharpeville Police Station was opened. The DA demands answers from the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe on why the department has stopped funding this facility and who is responsible for the maintenance and operational costs.

PHOTO: (DA; Google)