eThekwini Municipality is rolling up its sleeves to tackle Durban’s eyesores – the so-called “hijacked” or “bad” buildings. These crumbling structures, often overrun by squatters or criminal activities, have long been a blot on the city’s landscape. But now, thanks to a collaborative effort between the City, the Department of Public Works, and private partners, Durban is getting a much-needed facelift.
Mayor Cyril Xaba is keen to restore Durban’s reputation as the economic powerhouse of KwaZulu-Natal. Hijacked buildings—often turned into brothels, drug dens, or counterfeit money factories—are under the microscope. Take the notorious St Moritz building near Durban’s Point area, where police recently nabbed over 100 undocumented immigrants, confiscated counterfeit US dollars worth R4.1 million, and seized drugs and ammo in a raid. Not exactly the kind of tourism you want in your city!
Since the project kicked off, 76 buildings have been identified as major offenders. Some are privately owned, some are government properties, and several are hijacked. But there’s good news: 12 buildings have been refurbished, 7 hijacked ones have been returned to their rightful owners, and 11 are in the process of demolition.
According to City spokesperson Gugu Sisilana, the goal is to regenerate the inner city, improve safety, and create a more vibrant, business-friendly environment. The city has already spent R6.6 million on this initiative in the past year, but the costs will be clawed back from property owners. It’s all part of a bigger vision to turn Durban into a cleaner, safer, and more appealing place for both locals and tourists.
What’s Next for Durban’s Turnaround?
The city isn’t stopping here. Minister of Public Works, Dean Macpherson, has announced plans to team up with the municipality to tackle hijacked government buildings. With over 300 buildings hijacked nationwide, the time for action is now. Plus, key sites like the Durban Magistrate’s Court and former police barracks are set to get major upgrades.
As Mayor Xaba says, this is all about bringing Durban back to its former glory – one building at a time.