City monitors renovations at Westville home

ETHEKWINI Municipality has been closely monitoring activities at a Rodger Sishi Road (Blair Atholl) house in Westville where renovations have been underway for some years.

Residents became concerned when they noticed that no building activity was taking place on site and that there were no facilities for the people living inside the empty shell of the house.

At the time, residents also reported that the guards were seen washing their clothing in the Palmiet River.

EThekwini Municipality’s head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said during a recent investigation by an eThekwini Municipal official it was found that the property in question has been under slow reconstruction following flood damage from eight to 10 years ago.

“Two workers stay on the property for labour and security reasons. There is water supply, which is the free basic water of nine kilolitres per month. The workers also make use of two flushing toilets that are connected to a manhole, which discharges to a septic tank. Different contractors for roofing, plumbing, tiling and other construction work are engaged from time to time, but workers from these companies leave the property at the end of each day.

“Builders’ rubble from the renovation has accumulated at the entrance of the property and is being used to raise the level of the site to prevent future flooding of the building. While the building is not aesthetically appealing, it does not pose a public health hazard. However, the city will continue to monitor the premises and take necessary action should it be deemed necessary,” Mthethwa said.

In January, Mthethwa said construction on the site had come to a stop due to the city’s refusal to accept the property owner’s renovation plans, because of minor issues that needed to be attended to. Read more at www.highwaymail.co.za.