The days when the workplace was the pride and joy of state employees are long gone ... A very good example of how things have decayed over the last couple of years is that of the local pension office in Makhado (Louis Trichardt).

On January 19, Mrs Modjadjie Stam made a shocking discovery at the pension office situated on the corner of Kruger and Vlei Streets. The entire terrain looked like a jungle, with overgrown pathways and a once beautiful lawn hidden by waist-high grass, shrubs and even declared weeds such as Saringa, Bugweed, Lantana, Black Wattle, Khaki bush and Blackjacks. The only real plant that needed to be cared for was the now dead cycad, a plant that requires a permit just to have it growing in one’s garden.

Mrs Stam says she was surprised about the tight security at the office, despite the fact that no money is kept there. Upon leaving, four security guards located at the front gate wanted to search her handbag.

Mrs Stam also witnessed several other disturbing examples of decay. The garage is being used as a guard house, with heaps of important documents piling up on the floor. Garden tools, such as a lawnmower and even a weed cutter are also stored there, but there is no sign of a gardener. The ladies public toilet is locked and is being used as a storeroom. Inside, a plant has even managed to grow onto the walls of the office building. Fire extinguishers in the building date back to 1993. A wheelbarrow is being used as a filing cabinet and other files are lying on the floors in every office. The computer mainframe and computer rooms do not even have working air conditioners. The computer room feels like an oven with broken computer components everywhere. There is only one working light. On one computer, a game of solitaire was being played. Outside the building, one is faced with the unbearable smell of a blocked drain. A pool of raw sewage is visible. Clean water can be seen leaking from the roof of the building and amidst all this, a torn South African flag hangs from a flag pole.

In reaction to the dilapidated state of this government building, Mr Phuti Seloba, provincial spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Development in Polokwane, said the excessive plant growth is due to the recent good rains. He said the department is busy with a clean-up program regarding their buildings and gardens. Seloba also commented on the need for four security guards who is on duty 24 hours a day. He said they are there to protect the important pension documents.