By Salomé Kotzé
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The management and owners of City Mall in Klerksdorp CBD are questioning the decision of Matlosana Municipality to close the shopping centre last week.
“It was unnecessary to close down the mall, as there was no public safety risk, which has also been confirmed by registered engineers. It is concerning and disappointing that little is being done to combat crime in town, as citizens are being terrorized daily in the streets for cellphones and valuables. We can confirm that the City Mall is safe for tenants and shoppers. We take the safety of our staff, customers and tenants very seriously,’’ said Naeem Karim, on behalf of 4th Storey, the company that owns City Mall.
Friday July 5 was a black day in the history of this shopping centre that was built as Klerksdorp’s first mall in 1998. Various municipal departments paid City Mall a surprise visit as part of a “clean-up operation’’ focusing on compliance of businesses on regulations and safety standards. “City Mall was found not to be compliant indicating a risk of the building. According to the building inspectors, the mall building needed to be closed immediately as the contractor did not comply with the National Building Regulations Act,’’ said Ntswaki Makgetha, municipal spokesperson. Assistant Director of Fire and Rescue, Steven Mpato, told Klerksdorp Record that the mall was closed as a pro-active decision “seeing as to what happened in George’’ where a newly built block of flats collapsed.
The green light to re-open City Mall only come on Monday afternoon July 8 and stores lost almost four days of full trading. This could have been prevented, said Karim, if the management were notified of the inspection. “If there was reason for concern, engineer reports could have been obtained timeously without causing financial and reputational harm to the mall and its tenants. The council shut down the mall without any reports from engineers confirming that the building was unsafe.’’
City Mall management immediately took action and three different independent engineers were tasked to inspect the building. All three concluded that the building was safe and posed no hazard or danger. “It is concerning that the previous owners of the City Mall did not experience the same problems, as the same expansion joints were there and for good reason as, according to the engineer reports, it was purposely designed in that manner. It raises some serious concerns with regards to the qualifications of the Council’s officials,’’ Karim added.
Growthpoint Properties who sold the mall to 4th Storey said in a statement they are not aware of any structural problems or repairs in the basement parking of their former property. “We did not develop the property, having bought it from a previous owner. We are fully prepared to share any historic information relevant to the mall’s structure. We are aware of the recent construction activity by the new owner of the mall in the area of concern. Growthpoint is not involved in any construction activity on the site that may have given rise to the concerns now under the attention of the City Council.’’
According to Karim the addition to retail space in the unused parking lot was suggested by the architect they used to draw up building plans. “These building plans were submitted for approval in December 2023 but to date we have received absolutely no feedback by the council. Despite there being no court order to break down any structures, we can confirm that there is currently no structure on the premises without approved plans,’’ he answered on a question from Klerksdorp Record.
Makgetha said the management were told to stop building renovations in the basement after inspection on Friday and tear down partitioning that was built in the parking area.
“The City of Matlosana will continue to keep a close contact with Klerksdorp City Mall management to ensure that the building is compliant with building & safety standards regulations.’’
