Cape Town: City of Cape Town has issued fines to the National Department of Public Works for two hijacked sites in District Six and Mailand. The City has declared them as problem buildings due to drug and crime complaints.
The officials have declared that they are taking action to address life-threatening safety issues and ensure public safety.
City of Cape Town has issued fines to the National DPW following the long-term efforts to get conditions addressed at two hi-jacked sites that are owned by the National Government.
The sites are located at 2 Keizersgracht Road, District Six and 1 Jan Smuts Drive in Maitland. Both the properties have been formally declared as problem buildings.
Reportedly, the Signage has also been erected and informed the public about the action being taken by the city in response to ongoing drug and crime complainants from the public.
Following the investigations by the City’s Problem Building Unit, contravention notices were issued to DPW with an order to correct violations of the Problem Building by-law 2019.
Considerably, the city always issues a request first to the building owner to remedy by-law violations. In these instances, DPW’s failure towards act has now resulted in a problem building declaration for both sites with the issued fines.
The City may consider appointing an administrator for the buildings with the cost to be billed to national government. If the buildings cannot be restored, it may be necessary to approach a court to authorise the sale or demolition of the buildings.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stated that these properties are a source of drugs and crime complaints from the public and he welcomes the swift action of the officials in investigating and fining the building owner.
He said that the problem building declaration is an important step, especially to ensuring the life-threatening safety issues that are addressed at these buildings to avoid fatal consequences such as with the Marshalltown fire in Johannesburg.
“Our officials are taking action on a rolling basis across the city and we call on residents to help us by reporting problem building complaints,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
