Local businessman Lungile Mxube claims the municipality sabotaged plans for the old railway station to become a bus terminus in town.
Local businessman Lungile Mxube claims the municipality sabotaged plans for the old railway station to become a bus terminus in town.
Mxube says Makana Municipality failed to use funds allocated for the refurbishment of the old railway station, which was going to be transformed into a bus terminus.
He says he first pitched the idea to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the municipality in 2011.
The Cacadu District Municipality allocated R1 million for the renovation, and the Department of Transport contributed a further R1.5m.
"When an organisation fails to use a conditional grant before it expires, then the funders take it back, which was the case with Makana Municipality," Mxube said.
Municipal spokesperson Mncedisi Boma didn't confirm or deny the allegations and told this reporter to say that he wasn't available for comment.
Mxube is chairperson of the Makana United Business Chamber and managing director of the Frontier Country Hotel.
He took it upon himself to see to it that a proper bus terminus be built in town because the current place where buses stop, in front of Frontier Hotel, doesn't bode well for the business.
Mxube said passengers and bus drivers disturb his peace and put off guests from staying there.
"There are no ablution facilities where [the buses]currently operate and because my hotel is closer, they end up using its toilets and go for cover on my doorstep or balcony when it rains," Mxube explained.
The old railway station, just a few hundred metres away from the current bus stop in Bathurst Street, closed operations in early 2009.
The historic building, which was established in 1878, has subsequently been abandoned and wrecked by vandals.
In 2010 and 2011 Prasa assessed the old station for renovations.
According to Mimi Katsio, of Prasa, the initial costs of the bus terminus project were estimated at approximately R4m.
This is expected to be higher now since vandals and thieves have stripped some of the building's roof sheets and floor boards.
Katsio said the project would be set in motion once funds became available for refurbishing the station.
