MTHATHA – A historic government building in Mthatha, the Botha Sigcau building, has been gutted by fire, severely damaging a key public facility that houses several government departments.
The MEC for the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works, Infrastructure and Human Settlements, Siphokazi Lusithi, said the department was “deeply concerned” following the incident last night.
Firefighters and emergency personnel from the OR Tambo District Municipality, together with officials from the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure are currently on site attending to the fire.
The building accommodates a number of government departments and Lusithi confirmed that the department will “urgently engage with affected departments to ensure business continuity and minimise any disruption to service delivery”.
She reassured residents that government is working to limit the impact on essential services, stating that “every effort is being made to implement contingency measures to ensure that critical service delivery functions continue uninterrupted”.
Government has indicated that further details regarding temporary arrangements will be communicated as soon as they become available.
Due to the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, Lusithi is expected to visit the scene today (Wednesday, 25 March).
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with relevant stakeholders to assess the extent of the damage and determine the necessary interventions, including plans for the restoration of this important public asset,” she added.
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