Derelict buildings to be removed in Durban inner-city project
eThekwini acting mayor, Fawzia Peer says the demolition of almost 80 dilapidated structures in the Durban CBD will help combat crime in the area.
The municipality says some of the buildings have become drug dens, brothels and illegal shelters by the homeless. Peer says the demolition is part of the inner-city rejuvenation project.
"There's a strong possibility that there's a huge unemployment rate. That's why they are getting into these derelict buildings," Peer said.
Peer hopes the private sector will come on-board to assist in eradicating the buildings so that the sites can be used for commercial activities, student accommodation, social housing, and public facilities.
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She says owners who've neglected their buildings must come forward or risk losing their properties.
"We want private owners to come to us. We can't just leave those buildings in that state. 75% of the bad buildings are privately owned and that's terrible," she said.
