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South Africa’s High Commission in London has closed after years of neglect left its historic headquarters in Trafalgar Square in a state of serious disrepair.

This was according to Ryan Smith, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on international affairs. He said that South Africa House closed without notice this week after conditions inside the building became too poor for diplomatic staff to continue working there.

Reported problems included intermittent water supply, broken heating systems, damaged entrances and façades, and a persistent smell of urine in parts of the building.

Repairs are now expected to cost around R70 million, Smith said.

Smith said the expense could have been avoided had the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) maintained the property regularly.

South Africa House is one of the country’s most prominent diplomatic properties and occupies a prestigious position overlooking Trafalgar Square in the middle of London.

It was designed by legendary architect Sir Herbert Baker (who also designed the Union Buildings in Pretoria and a number of other prominent buildings across the then-British Empire) and was opened in 1933.

Its closure has renewed concerns about the condition of South Africa’s diplomatic buildings abroad.

Smith also pointed to the South African Embassy in The Hague, which has reportedly been closed for repairs for nearly a year.

According to Smith, little visible work has taken place at the building, while High Commission staff continue to operate from temporary premises.

The decline of South Africa’s foreign properties was raised in a recent Auditor-General report. The report found that DIRCO’s audit outcome had deteriorated partly because of the poor management of foreign assets, with some properties becoming uninhabitable.

Smith said the condition of South Africa’s embassies reflected wider failures within the department. He accused DIRCO of failing to prioritise the maintenance of diplomatic properties and the professional staffing of the foreign service.

The party also criticised International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola for directing funding towards international litigation, such as the case at the International Court of Justice against Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance to Cuba, while diplomatic buildings deteriorated.

Smith said South Africa’s embassies and high commissions should serve as the backbone of the country’s foreign service and represent the country professionally abroad.

He warned that the continued neglect of these properties was damaging South Africa’s international reputation and leaving its diplomatic service increasingly unable to perform its basic functions.