Limpopo High Court to sit in Polokwane

An R8.8 million building project, aimed at renovating the former regional court buildings in Landros Maré Street, to accommodate new offices and courtrooms, was launched by Deputy Public Works minister Ntopile Kganyago, during a ceremony at the site on Friday.

The buildings, erected in 1944, served in turn as regional court facilities, police barracks and museum storerooms. They were occupied more recently by landless people, who were eventually moved to suitable dwellings in other parts of the city.

Project manager Lillian Mofokeng says great care will be taken to restore the buildings to their original condition, so that they will be an asset to the central business area of Polokwane. The present buildings have pillars and wood panelling, as well as marble and granite features, which are all to be retained.

However, Mofokeng pointed out that contemporary art would be added, in order to reflect aspects of the country's new democratic dispensation.

She added that the two buildings would be linked by a series of underground passages, where there would be holding cells for prisoners, as well as special security features. The province's existing High Court in Thohoyandou will be integrated into the new venue, once the building operations have been completed.

News - Date: 18 March 2005

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