This is  according to the mayor of the troubled Mangaung Metro Municipality, Mxolisi Siyonzana. At least R50 million will be needed to further construct the controversial taxi rank. The taxi rank has been non-operational since its completion around 2011 and soon after its completion taxi operators refused to use it due to structural issues. But Siyonzana says following a careful assessment of the taxi rank, it was concluded that the metro should buy another building or further construct the taxi rank with the mentioned amount of money. Sinyonzana says the assessment revealed that the exit point is an obstacle for the minibus taxis, hence the delay in its operations.

He said this during the national Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula's visit to Mangaung yesterday to assess the state of the Hauweng bus project.  

In 2019, the metro signed a 30-year lease agreement for the R400 million Bloemfontein taxi rank with the Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association through its entity, the Free State Taxi Association.

ALSO READ: Bfn taxi rank lease agreement 'history in the making'

The metro has come under scrutiny for the incomplete projects which have costed the metro millions of rands over the years. The metro's Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) has been highlighted as the perfect example. On Monday, minister Mbalula revealed that the forensic investigation into the Mangaung Metro Municipality's controversial multimillion-rand IPTN will commence with immediate effect.

ALSO READ: #BreakingNews: Minister confirms forensic investigation at Mangaung

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