Durban — A campaign began on Tuesday in a renewed effort by the Government of National Unity, collaborating with the new eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba and law enforcement agencies, to tackle the problem of bad and hijacked buildings.
On Tuesday, a multidisciplinary team swooped on illegally occupied buildings in the Point area in Durban.
This operation was conducted in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal police led by provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, metro police, Correctional Services, mayor Xaba, Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies. Premier Thami Ntuli also joined the operation which resulted in the arrest of more than 123 undocumented foreign nationals.
Ntuli said the raid was part of the fulfilment of promises made during his State of the Province Address to ensure safety for citizens, when he led a decisive operation targeting illegally occupied buildings in the area.
Ntuli said this action underscores his dedication to upholding the rule of law and protecting communities from illegal activities. He said they plan to continue these raids in other places and then attract investors by revamping these buildings.
Xaba said rejuvenating the city is important in combating crime and growing the economy. He vowed to engage with the Public Works department to ensure these buildings are used by the citizens to grow the economy.
Mkhwanazi said he appreciates the work done by private security companies “because the province is large”. He added that police were doing “exceptional work” in many areas, including uMkhanyakude District, Ilembe and Ugu.
He said the number of guns they were collecting as a province has grown to such an extent they are no longer going to keep them as evidence for court in police stations.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that during the operation, 117 rounds of ammunition and a large amount of liquor were seized.
“Two hijacked buildings were disconnected from water and electricity, which were connected illegally. One suspect was also arrested after he was found in possession of cocaine and crystal meth and an undisclosed amount of money.”
Meanwhile, it was revealed that a total of 76 buildings were recently declared derelict, abandoned, hijacked and overcrowded.
On Monday Xaba said, “Of these, 58 are privately owned and 18 are government-owned buildings and this is where we require the intervention of the minister.”
Sixteen of the buildings have been hijacked and illegally occupied.
Since the operation began, they said, they have achieved the following successes:
- 12 buildings have been refurbished by owners.
- 11 building have been demolished, including the Chinese Emporium building which is in the process of being demolished.
- Seven hijacked buildings have been returned to owners.
- Seven buildings are undergoing repairs.
Xaba said this was in line with the City’s vision to become the most caring and liveable city. The revitalisation and rehabilitation of the CBD is crucial if they are to attract investment into the city, he added. The CBD is the heartbeat of Durban and must reflect this vision.
“Last year, the council approved the display of building wraps on declared problem buildings to assist the property owners to generate income from advertising in order to settle arrear rates and services and to pay for refurbishments of the building.”
Xaba said this success can be attributed to the ongoing engagements with property owners and “tireless efforts by officials who have not hesitated to institute legal action” against those who were not co-operating.
Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association vice-chairperson Allison Schoeman said she was concerned that the individuals being removed from these buildings were scattering to the suburbs.
“The problem is not being addressed, it is just being moved/relocated. The City is not deporting people who are in the city illegally. We have seen an increase in illegal occupation on the Bluff and other wards, which confirms that these illegal occupants are merely taking up residence elsewhere.”
Schoeman said better solutions needed to be implemented to address the social problem, as most of the properties in the CBD are not ratepayers contributing to the City’s revenue.
“What is going to happen to revenue when ratepayers stop paying rates because there is no value in their property any longer as the illegal occupants have taken residence in their wards? Once again, it is short-sighted,” Schoeman said.
Ebrahim Vadachia, chairperson of the Urban Improvement Precinct Company, raised alarm over the persistent issue of derelict and hijacked buildings in Durban. He attributed the problem to decades of inadequate by-law enforcement and a lack of political will to address the root causes.
Despite numerous meetings with the municipality and other stakeholders, the number of neglected and illegally occupied buildings in the city continues to rise, he said.
Vadachia highlighted that many of these buildings have become unsafe, unsanitary, and are now hubs for criminal activity. A recent sting operation in the Point area involving multiple foreign nationals exemplified the complexity of the issue.
“The surge in derelict buildings has led to a host of social and economic problems. These properties often become hot spots for crime, drug use, and other illicit activities, compromising the safety and quality of life for nearby residents.”
The illegal hijacking of buildings by criminal syndicates, who occupy vacant properties and rent them out unlawfully, further exacerbates the situation.
“A lot needs to be done on the ground, and authorities must act swiftly to identify and prosecute those responsible for these illegal activities.”
He stressed that the eThekwini Municipality must play a crucial role in enforcing regulations, managing property disputes, and facilitating rehabilitation efforts.
The problem of derelict buildings is further complicated by systemic issues such as corruption and bureaucratic inertia, he said. He called for a renewed commitment to rooting out corruption and effectively enforcing building regulations.
Vadachia concluded that Durban needs a co-ordinated strategy involving local authorities, property owners, law enforcement, and the community to reclaim these spaces, enhance urban safety, and revitalise neighbourhoods.
“Without such efforts, the city will continue to grapple with the growing challenge of neglected and illegally occupied properties that undermine its development and growth.”
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