Ballito municipal office a whoonga den

Squatters have moved into the KwaDukuza municipal building in Ballito and ‘whoonga boys’ are using it to do deals and get high.

The building, situated behind the Ballito fire station and opposite the Ballito clinic, has been a disgrace for two years, since the office was emptied in order to be renovated.

The municipal employees stationed there were temporarily relocated to containers outside the Licencing department in Salt Rock.

The upgrade was set to begin in January 2014 but due to non-performance the contractor and the consultant where dismissed.

KDM said the construction commencement date was set for November 1, 2015 and completion date was August 1, 2016. The building was supposed to be open for use on August 8 this year (‘What lurks inside‘, September 30 2015).

Currently the building stands unlocked, providing a useful refuge for the homeless. The place is full of litter and evidence of people sleeping there lies littered among the shopping trolleys parked inside.

Ballito councillor Tammy Colley, said the building is in the municipal 2016 and 2017 planning, as a project that will be fast-tracked.”I currently do not have a timeline for the project, as soon as I get that information I will let you know,” said Colley.