THE deterioration of an unoccupied, derelict property in Davenport Avenue which belongs to eThekwini Municipality has become an eyesore in the Glenwood neighbourhood and nearby residents say the city may as well tear the house down.
The property at 33 Davenport Avenue, Glenwood, has been vacant for a number of years, and even local councillor Mmabatho Tembe is in agreement with residents that the property needs to be addressed.
According to resident, Bobby Thomas, who invited Berea Mail to take a look at the state of the property, the house which is unoccupied, has a security guard stationed on the premises to ensure vagrants don’t illegally occupy the house.
“The guard just sits there all day. I want to know what the plans are for this house. As a property owner in the area, I feel the municipality might as well pull the house down, as it has been allowed to deteriorate,” she said, adding that it was an eyesore.
Councillor Tembe said she understood a few stakeholders had tried to utilise the building for various projects, but these had all come to a dead end.
In June 2016, Berea Mail reported on a proposed project involving the Umbilo Business Forum, NGO “We Are Durban,” and eThekwini’s Imagine Durban.
ALSO READ: Support needed for proposed Umbilo Business Forum development project
The forum had submitted a proposal to the municipality to rejuvenate the dilapidated house and convert it into a place which would serve vulnerable youth and community members.
The plan was to offer various opportunities, including educational support, with after school tutoring and Saturday morning classes, classes in the arts and food gardening, and to encourage sports for development.
There had also been a plan to offer clinic facilities from the house.
“This is a municipal property but it is now dilapidated and is at the point of abandonment. The roof has caved in and boards are breaking out of the ceiling on the outside, there has been no maintenance on the house at all. It is also close to illegal dumping sites. I feel it is a real waste of ratepayers’ money having a house in such a condition and employing a guard to be on site. This place could have been utilised,” said Tembe.
She said she had contacted the Real Estates Department to find out what the plans were with the property, and although she had received no feedback, she would be following up.
“The municipality needs to take more responsibility for its assets. It is in such a precarious financial position, this house should be sold and put to good use,” she said.
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