THE demolition of three ‘problem buildings’ in Durban’s Mahatma Gandhi node commenced on Friday morning.
Earlier this month the eThekwini Municiaplity announced that it had received approval to utilise the by-laws, building regulations and legal processes to eradicate the issue of abandoned and neglected buildings that have plagued the City.
The Mahatma Gandhi node, the city said in a statement yesterday, cradles approximately half of the 80-odd bad building in the city.
eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said the move is part of a greater plan by the city.
Speaking to media at the demolition site on Friday, deputy city manager for Economic Development and Planning, Phillip Sithole, said while they would not simply remove vulnerable people, they were also not going to accept ‘crime and grime’.
Acting Durban mayor Fawzia Peer said she hoped to identify one of the problem buildings and renovate it to house some of the city’s homeless individuals.
Mayisela said these buildings were often used as drug dens or brothels, and provided shelter for vagrants, to the detriment of law-abiding residents and the business community.
“The city is also committed to working with the private sector in eradicating bad buildings for purposes such as commercial, student accommodation, social housing, and social facilities required to address these social ills.”
Mayisela also urged the owners of ‘bad buildings’ to come forward or risk losing their property.
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