The City of Cape Town has issued fines to the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure over its failure to address dilapidated conditions at two abandoned building sites owned by the government.
The sites, situated in District Six and Maitland, have been formally declared problems, with the city continuously receiving drug and crime complaints from the public.
Upper District Six neighbourhood watch chairperson Igshaan Alexander said a few incidents of crime have occurred in and around the sites.
“A resident was recently flung from her motorcycle and robbed. The assailants ran into that building,” said Alexander.
“I have reported these incidents to the community police forum monthly without fail, and I am always told that the building does not belong to the city.”
City contemplating legal action
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said following investigations by the city’s problem-building unit, contravention notices were issued to the department with an order to correct violations of the Problem-Building By-Law 2019.
“The city always first issues a request to a building owner to remedy the by-law violations,” said Hill-Lewis.
“In these instances, the department’s failure to act has now resulted in a problem-building declaration for both of these sites, with fines issued.
“The city may further consider appointing an administrator for the buildings, with the cost to be billed to the national government.
“If the buildings cannot be restored, it may be necessary to approach a court to authorise the sale or demolition of the buildings.”
Mayor slammed for cheap theatrics
Lennox Mabaso, the spokesperson for the department, said Minister Sihle Zikalala has identified and visited hijacked buildings in Cape Town and in other major cities.
“The buildings were identified by the minister during his National Operation Bring Back Campaign as bad buildings, and some are candidates for demolition,” said Mabaso.
“We are dealing with the unlawful occupation through the office of the state attorney. The Cape Town mayor is aware of the programme we are undertaking and the slow actions of the city in terms of their role.
“The city, however, enjoys communicating with other government structures through the media and embarks on cheap theatrics and grandstanding instead of working collectively with other structures to solve problems in society.
“This is no time to wrestle in public spats, and as the department, we are committed to working with the city to solve the challenge of bad buildings regardless of which sphere of government owns them.”
