The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has demolished one of its problem buildings in the Durban CBD, which had been in a dilapidated state for many years.

This was part of efforts to deal with dilapidated buildings around the city, which impact negatively on the aesthetics of the precinct.

The city says the demolition of the property at 97 Ingcuce Street, also known as the Saira Essa building, is another success for the problem buildings division, whose objective is to encourage and enforce the renovation of problem buildings by property owners.

In 2010, the city initiated a comprehensive programme aimed at enhancing its urban landscape, and as part of this initiative, the Saira Essa Building was earmarked for full demolition; however, due to legal proceedings initiated by traders using the premises for storage purposes, only a partial demolition was carried out at the time.

“The city engaged in ongoing dialogue with the affected traders to prepare for a proposed mixed-use, high-rise development, with commercial facilities occupying the ground floor. An agreement was eventually reached to accommodate the traders at Ascot Park, where they would have adequate storage facilities for their goods and equipment.”

“The traders were successfully relocated on May 22,” says municipal spokesperson Lindiwe Khuzwayo.

The demolition site

Khuzwayo said the site is in the process of being cleared of all remaining rubble and debris, and once that process was concluded, the property will be secured and the scheduled redevelopment project will continue.

“This successful demolition operation is testament to the problem buildings division’s recent accelerated interventions and efforts, achieved through collaboration with other departments including the business support unit, human settlements, architectural services, and metro police.”

eThekwini encouraged all property owners to regularly maintain their properties to ensure a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for all residents.