MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The local municipal aerodrome, entry point for important visitors to the town, stunned an official visitor into total disbelief last week, with its dilapidated appearance and seemingly general lack of responsible supervision and control.

An important asset, which should have been a prime corporate show piece for the Makhado Municipality, is now proving to be an unbelievable display of irresponsible neglect and possible maladministration.

Acting on the private comment of a member of the Provincial Legislature, the Ward Councillor for Ward 1, Ms Marie Helm, visited the aerodrome last week and was stunned with the state of affairs she encountered there.

In an official statement, she expressed shock and dissatisfaction and requested that urgent attention should be given to the appalling state of the aerodrome.

The aerodrome building had big cracks in the walls. Several windows were broken. The unsafe windows, without burglar bars, were secured with pieces of the neglected furniture in the untidy room.

A man in plain clothes identified himself on request as a security guard. Questioned about the signs of residential usage in the building, he said that the building is utilized by his company as living quarters for staff members. There were also signs that the building is being utilized for assembly purposes by some or other religious sect.

On the runway at the aerodrome, a herd of goats was grazing.

Right next to the aerodrome fence, within full sight from the main gate and building, an unsightly squatter’s shack welcomes arrivals at the aerodrome.

The shack was seemingly erected to house farm hands on the adjacent paddock, allegedly being rented by a municipal councillor.

Commenting on the situation, Councillor Helm this week said: “It is shocking that a security company, receiving R80 000 per month from the municipality cannot provide suitable accommodation for its staff members. It is unacceptable that people must live in such desperate conditions.”

She wanted to know whether the security company was paying rent for the “housing” of its staff members.

Ms Helm also wanted to know how the municipality plans to prevent accidents between incoming aircraft and the animals grazing on the runways.