Vacant buildings turning CBD into ‘slum’

CONCERN has been expressed over vacant buildings in the CBD that are being used as criminal havens and causing the city centre to deteriorate into a “slum”.

Property owners said that the empty buildings were attracting “unsavoury elements”, including prostitutes and drug users, while thieves were stealing building materials, cables, electrical wires and copper.

They added that damage was caused to infrastructure and members of the public were being robbed of their cellphones and belongings in the CBD.

The CEO of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharon Steyn, said vacant buildings had been stripped and vandalised by vagrants.

“Businesses are fleeing from the city centre as it is not conducive or safe to operate there. This has caused the value of properties to depreciate. Tenants are not willing to take up leases and insurance companies do not want to pay out any claims incurred. The private sector cannot afford to risk losing their investments,” said Steyn.

She added that petitions to demolish the old DFA building in Dunell Street, which was reported to contravene the national building regulations and building standards, had fallen on deaf ears.

The building was earmarked to be used as an artisanal training centre.

The owners of an unused building in the city centre stated that they were unable to sell the property, which was valued at over R1.2 million, or keep up with the rates and taxes as they were unable to attract any tenants.

They noted that the area was plagued by infrastructure, water, potholes and sewage problems, while illegal miners were operating nearby.

“Several attempts made to secure the area with fencing, alarms and the use of security guards have not prevented the unlawful occupation and vandalism of the property, where pipes were ripped out the walls, ceilings were punctured and litter was dumped in the building. People are sleeping inside the premises on soiled blankets and old mattresses.”

They had obtained a court order for the sheriff of the court to evict unlawful occupiers and for Sol Plaatje Municipality to provide them with alternative accommodation and assist in securing the building, although it was indicated that to date no action has been taken.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the municipality did not currently have any by-laws to regulate the illegal or unlawful occupation of vacant buildings or land.

“Once the by-laws have been formulated to manage dilapidated and problematic vacant stands, the municipality will be able to take informed decisions for municipal, state and privately-owned properties and prevent vagrants from occupying vacant buildings,” said Mothibi.

He added that the municipality was embarking on a process to revitalise the inner city and surrounding areas.

“This will also assist in identifying abandoned and hijacked buildings that lead to deterioration of adjacent and surrounding buildings within the CBD. The municipality is also in the process of developing an incentive policy that can assist property owners that are unable to keep up with the rates and taxes.”

Mothibi advised that private property owners were responsible for ensuring that unoccupied properties were guarded and secured at their own expense.

“They are also encouraged to lease out or sell those properties that are not being utilised. Members of the public are also encouraged to report unlawful occupation of vacant buildings to the SAPS.”

He stated that the council had resolved on June 6 to offer the old DFA building in Dunell Street up for sale, due to its deteriorated condition.

“A property valuation has been commissioned and will be presented to the Spellum committee and council for authorisation of alienation through a public tender process, owing to the significant interest from multiple applicants wishing to acquire the property for various purposes.”

Mothibi said that legal counsel was currently reviewing the unauthorised occupation of vacant municipal buildings.