Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad, recently conducted an oversight visit of the Metro Link building, following its temporary closure in November 2020, as recommended by the Department of Employment and Labour.
A service level agreement between Development Planning and the Johannesburg Property Company has since been finalised and signed; and priority has been sought for maintenance work to commence as soon as possible.
According to the national department, the Metro Link building does not comply with the Covid-19 building regulations and requires urgent maintenance work before it can be used as a base of operations. During the inspection walkabout, Building Control Officer, Mr Broderick Chiloane, outlined the numerous issues that have been raised by members of the staff, including the lack of sufficient ventilation and water leaks throughout the building.
The Metro Link was identified as Development Planning’s interface centre for the duration of the National State of Disaster (Covid-19), and provides services by the Building Development Management (BDM), Land Use Development Management (LUDM), and Corporate Geo-Informatics (GIS) directorates.
Alternative office space was allocated for Metro Link staff at Thuso House, on Jorissen Street, until the necessary maintenance work has been completed. The Department reopens its walk-in centres and public offices today.
MMC Amad said a fully functional Metro Link was important for the City, in that it is the backbone of the construction industry in Johannesburg. “All hands have to be on deck to make sure that the necessary maintenance work is done within the proposed timeframes. Professionals and members of the public are dependent on the Metro Link, and it would be in the City’s best interest for the building to be prioritised for repairs,” added MMC Amad
Media enquiries
Poppy Louw
Chief Specialist: Communications and Stakeholder Liaison
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
poppyl@joburg.org.za or 081 235 4999