One of the derelict government owned buildings on the Bluff, south of Durban, that residents demand be secured from further illegal occupation.
Image: Supplied
Illegally occupied government owned buildings are a major concerns for residents of Bluff, South of Durban.
A resident who requested anonymity, said the ongoing unlawful occupation led to public safety issues in and around Winchelsea Avenue. The resident called for security measures to be put in place at some of the vacant properties to protect residents, until a visible and permanent solution is implemented.
Allison Schoeman, a lawyer acting on behalf of the resident, emailed the national and provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure regarding the matter.
Schoeman said residents complained for three years, repeatedly reported alleged criminal activity, intimidation, dumping, illegal utility connections, and unsafe occupation of the houses to officials. She has called for a joint site inspection be arranged within seven days.
“The community has yet to receive a lawful, time-bound, and enforceable plan for the removal of unlawful occupiers and the securing of the properties. We were advised that processes were underway, however, the position on the ground remains materially unchanged,” she said.
Schoeman said that the affected residents have afforded the relevant authorities more than sufficient opportunity to investigate, respond, secure the properties, identify the responsible department and implement a lawful action plan.
“Our client’s request is not made out of curiosity. The surrounding residents are directly affected. We note that illegal utility connections were disconnected and (want to know if) any follow-up inspection has been conducted to ensure that the connections have not been unlawfully reconnected,” Schoeman said.
Zoe Solomon, eThekwini ward 66 councillor, said the matter was being handled by a legal team who have issued eviction notices to the illegal residents. Solomon said she reported the properties as illegally occupied when complaints were received from residents.
“The properties are not under the same level of government as listed assets and both provincial and national departments have responded. There is a much greater operation underway nationally to secure properties. The relevant departments responded and legal eviction notices were issued."
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer said some of the the properties were attached to the Department of Health.
“During talks with the department they have indicated that they need them so we cannot use them for anything else. We are working on those properties together with the department to make sure a solution is found that benefits the community around it as well as the department,” he said.
During his 2026/2027 budget speech on Wednesday, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson stated that 801 state-owned properties are being put up for sale.
Macpherson outlined efforts to repurpose state-owned properties for social use. He said that more than 46 government-owned properties were made available during the past financial year for shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide, as well as for skills development centres.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za