eThekwini drafts policy to combat student res overcrowding
eThekwini Municipality says it's confident a new draft policy will put an end to overcrowded and dilapidated student accommodation in Durban, once approved.
The city is among others in the country faced with a shortage of residences for students.
This has seen some unscrupulous property owners taking advantage of students' desperation - offering them living spaces that are inhumane, unsafe and unsanitary.
In other instances it's been found that although living conditions may be acceptable but students are being cramped into sleeping spaces and forced to pay a full rental amount.
The City's Msawakhe Mayisela says the policy seeks to regulate the student accommodation sector.
"There will be people that will want to make a quick buck and convert buildings to accommodate desperate students only to find that is not humane enough to be habited by students. Once that policy has been approved then it's when we will have a clear way forward in this regard," Mayisela said.