THE eThekwini Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the national and KwaZulu-Natal provincial Departments of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPI). The collaboration of three spheres of government will assist in conducting a comprehensive inventory of all abandoned, hijacked, under-utilised and neglected buildings within the municipality that are owned by the DPWI.
PWI minister, Dean Macpherson commended the municipality for being the first city to embark on this project. He said the days of state buildings standing empty, attracting crime and chasing away investment is coming to an end.
A technical task team will identify problem buildings across the city to work together to find solutions for these properties.
“We welcome seeing abandoned buildings being converted into usable structures,” said Macpherson.
He said the provincial Public Works Department will soon officially handover the Westpoint Building to the Municipality. according to IOL, Westpoint, on Margaret Mncadi Avenue was bought by the department of Human Settlements in the early 2000s for R7 million. A fire in 2012 damaged the building and squatters moved in. In 2014 it was offered to both eThekwini Municipality and various technikons as student accommodation, but all said it would cost too much to renovate. In 2019 the city announced it would renovate the building for social housing, although there is no evidence of an upgrade.
Xaba said the signing of this MOU confirms their commitment to strengthening partnerships with all government spheres and the private sector to ensure government utilises state assets to promote economic growth.
“The signing ceremony marks the culmination of various initiatives the City has embarked upon to maximise public sector assets to drive economic growth. It demonstrates our plans to rejuvenate the city and improve public safety,” said Xaba.
He said the inaugural Property Conference held in Durban in April this year was to communicate government’s disposal plans for underutilised, surplus, and abandoned properties that are owned by state departments.
“We have identified a total of 149 properties for disposal, and already 91 have either been released or are currently out for request for proposals. Our target for this financial year is to release 50 properties,” Xaba said.
Prasheen Maharaj from the Durban Chamber of Commerce welcomed the MOU signing saying the cooperation will revitalise the city.
“This is a step in the right direction to reposition the City and will unlock the full potential of unused and dilapidated buildings,” he said.
The signing ceremony took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 6 November. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, KwaZulu-Natal Public Works MEC Martin Meyer, and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba together with members of the City’s Executive Committee attended the signing ceremony.
