The construction and development of the Standerton Mall in Lekwa Local Municipality is fast becoming a myth as delays in signing service level agreements is chasing away investors, developers and national retailers.
After the construction of the Mall was first approved in council in 2016, a soil turning event followed in 2017 – a ceremony that normally takes place before the commencement of a project. Yet, to date, there is not a single brick in sight that shows that any construction is actually going to take place.
In February 2019, the Democratic Alliance (DA) marched to the municipal offices with a memorandum demanding that the construction of the Mall starts immediately so that much-needed jobs would be created.
Standerton, a town that has a high rate of unemployment and poverty would benefit a great deal out of the construction of the mall as it would see:
- 1000 jobs created;
- R38 million towards the upgrade of Substation B;
- R1.2 billion into the entire Standerton Mall project; and
- Stimulate further investment and revenue into the municipality.
It is senseless and grossly irresponsible for the Executive Mayor, Lindokuhle Dlamini, Municipal Manager, Gugulethu Ntshangase and relevant Heads of Department to drag their feet on approving and signing off on the necessary documentation.
The community continues to suffer and live in squalor at the hands of leaders who seem to be far removed from the bread and butter issues of the people of Standerton.
The DA will write to the Municipal Manager to request that all documents that were approved in Council six weeks ago are signed so that the developers can start working.
The DA calls upon the Mayor and Municipal Manager to act with urgency and ensure that all delays are dealt with so that phase one of the two-year construction period of the Mall can start as soon as possible.