Questions raised over Hexagon facelift amid service concerns

Plans to build a security guard house, toilet facility and additional room inside Komani’s Hexagon Square are likely to raise questions about whether the project will improve the town’s central public space — or create another municipal facility that could become costly to secure and maintain.

The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has confirmed that work has begun on an eight-month renovation and facelift of the Hexagon, funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).

The scope includes a new steel fence, restoration of the fountain, repairs to walkways and cobblestone paths, landscaping, replacement of dead trees and the installation of surveillance cameras.

It also includes the construction of a security guard house with a toilet and an additional room which the municipality says could be used by photographers or facilitators during events and activities.

The proposed permanent building is likely to be the most contentious part of the project. The Hexagon is one of Komani’s best-known public spaces, valued for its open layout and central position in town.

Residents may question whether adding a guard house, toilet and extra room will preserve the character of the square or clutter a space that should remain open, visible and accessible.

There is also a practical concern: how will the municipality prevent the structure from being vandalised, damaged or becoming unusable after completion?

Public facilities that are not consistently secured and maintained can quickly deteriorate through vandalism, broken windows and doors, graffiti, theft of fittings and unauthorised occupation. A new building inside the Hexagon will require a clear long-term maintenance and security plan — not only an initial construction budget.

The municipality has said a guard house and surveillance cameras form part of the project, but it has not yet explained whether guards will be deployed permanently, who will be responsible for maintenance, or what budget has been set aside for ongoing security, repairs and cleaning.

The new fence also raises concerns. The Hexagon was previously fenced, but the fencing later deteriorated and was removed. The municipality is now planning to install another “classic steel fence”, saying it will improve security while retaining visibility and openness.

That history makes it important for the municipality to explain what will be done differently this time to protect the fence, fountain, cameras, landscaping and any new building from neglect or damage.

The facelift is taking place while residents continue to raise concerns about potholes, damaged roads, illegal dumping and waste-removal challenges in parts of Komani. The municipality says the Hexagon upgrade will create a safer, more vibrant and visually appealing public space, as well as a hub for community interaction and events.

However, residents may reasonably ask why the project has been prioritised now, and whether the same resources could have addressed more urgent infrastructure problems.

According to the municipality, the contractor has occupied the site and the work is expected to take a maximum of eight months. Four months have been allocated to construction, while the remaining period will cover other elements, including security features.

Komani News asked the municipality to provide the total project cost, approval date.

These details had not been provided at the time of publication.