Public Works and Infrastructure Dept continues clampdown on hijacked buildings in Durban CBD
The department said it had identified the Palm Beach building, which previously operated as a hotel, as one of the hijacked buildings.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
DURBAN - The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal will on Friday conduct an oversight at some of the hijacked buildings in the Durban CBD.
The department’s MEC, Martin Meyer, said he wanted to tackle the State’s assets that are being run by alleged criminals.
Two weeks ago, police raided some buildings in the South Beach area and arrested more than 120 illegal foreigners.
The department said it had identified the Palm Beach building, which previously operated as a hotel, as one of the hijacked buildings.
Meyer said his department would claim this and other unused buildings back.
Spokesperson Steve Bhengu said some buildings would be sold while others would be refurbished.
“In solving the issue, some interventions identified by the MEC include repurposing, reusing, and reselling such problematic buildings which form part of the provincial department's over 13,000 assets on the books, according to ongoing audits."
Following the oversight, Meyer will, with the eThekwini Municipality, discuss a solution around the hijacked buildings.