eThekwini Municipality has embarked on a massive project aimed at ridding the city of Durban of ‘hijacked’ or ‘bad’ buildings. And so far, several buildings have been revamped or re-worked to make Durban great again!

In collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, government departments and private stakeholders, Mayor Cyril Xaba hopes to strengthen Durban’s grip as KwaZulu-Natal’s economic hub.

Often these buildings, whether owned by private individuals, the City or the State, are overtaken by mostly foreign nationals who then charge rental for spaces. Some of these buildings have become infamous brothels or drug dens.

Last month, KwaZulu-Natal police arrested over 100 undocumented foreign nationals and seized counterfeit US dollars valued at around R4.1 million in raid at the St Moritz building, near Durban’s Point area.

Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police also recovered 117 rounds of ammunition, drugs and liquor. A suspect, wanted for a string of rapes in uMlazi, was also arrested.

Mayor Xaba said since the launch of a programme aimed at addressing bad buildings, the City has identified 76 buildings that are either derelict, abandoned, hijacked or overcrowded.

"Of these, 58 are privately owned and 18 are government-owned buildings. Sixteen have been hijacked and are illegally occupied," he said.

Xaba said to date, 12 buildings have been refurbished by owners, 11 are in the process of being demolished, while seven hijacked buildings have been returned to their owners and seven are undergoing repairs.

City spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said the initiative is part of an effort by the City to regenerate the inner city in the promotion of Urban Regeneration, led by the City Manager, Musa Mbhele. It aims to improve the public realm, boost confidence in the city, promote safety and create a better space for all to work, live and play.

“Fixing up a problem building has had a major impact on the surrounding area and business in terms of safety, cleanliness and appeal of the area,” she said.

In the last financial year, this project has cost the City R6.6 million.

Sisilana said these costs will be recovered from the owners of the properties concerned.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson said a technical task team will be established between his department and the City to address the issue of bad buildings.

“The department has already started to take action to resolve issues facing the abandoned and partly hijacked Excelsior Court building, the possible redevelopment of the former police barracks close to the Durban inner city, and the soon completion of work at the Durban Magistrate’s Court to ensure that the building is fire safety compliant,” he said.

The minister said over 300 buildings had been hijacked across the country. Speaking during a Parliamentary briefing, he added that his department owns about 88,000 government buildings, with many of them being hijacked.

The former Durban ward councillor said the DPWI has embarked on an audit to determine an accurate register.

One of the identified buildings where artists have painted murals. Picture: eThekwini Municipality

One of the identified buildings where artists have painted murals. Picture: eThekwini Municipality

Looking further afield

Looking at other provinces impacted by the issue of hijacked or problem buildings, Gauteng has seen a number of raids and even fatal fires at these properties.

IOL previously reported on the fire at the Usindiso building that claimed the lives of 77 people.

Recently, Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero said officials in the city could not enter a building without a court judgment.

He said the City has obtained nine such judgments and will be taking action.

The City of Tshwane has also embarked on a robust plan to fight hijacked and illegally occupied buildings in the Pretoria CBD.

According to Councillor Kingsley Wakelin, the City of Tshwane Council approved the Tshwane Sustainable and Better Buildings Programme (TSBBP), which aims to drive inner-city regeneration by tackling derelict and illegally occupied buildings while providing affordable and well-located housing to residents and students.

“Any instances of illegal occupation will be swiftly dealt with by following due process within the boundaries of the law. Any building-hijacking syndicates or criminals will be identified, removed and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Wakelin said.

Topping the list will be the infamous Melgisedek Building, near the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

“This is part of our commitment to building a healthy, vibrant city with economic opportunities for all,” he said.

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

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