Semi’s knocked down
The historical white semis at 93 Bedford Avenue, which were over a century old, were demolished on September 22.
The property where the semi-detached houses once stood will now be turned into a parking lot.
A number of Benoni residents are up-in-arms about them being knocked down.
“As a member of the Benoni Heritage Foundation I am devastated that these 100-year-old semis, designed by Percy Cooke, a respected architect, were demolished to make way for a parking lot,” said Verena Metzer.
“The fact that the owners demolished them two days before Heritage Day shows they disregard our heritage.
“Our heritage is either being burnt down or broken down; what has happened to Benoni?”
“Will we only wake up once it’s too late, when it’s all gone?” asked Debbie Dos Reis, a member of the Benoni Heritage Foundation.
Dos Reis added that she hopes that this will be the last of the heritage houses to disappear and that community members will join her in the fight to protect and save the history of the city.
Earlier this year the City Times reported on how a number of Benoni residents were trying to stop the semis from being demolished.
Residents have now voiced their opinions on the looklocal Benoni Facebook page; some are upset that the semis have been knocked down, while others are please with the results.
Celeste Duarte said: “No, they were part of Benoni’s heritage.”
Linda Clack asked: “Aren’t they part of our heritage?”
Julie Smith said: “If nobody is prepared to live there, maybe it is time to move on. Who will pay for it as a heritage building? Taxpayers?”
Ronel Middleton said: “Sad. But it’s better demolished than squatters moving in and starting to strip the houses.”
