KWAZULU-NATAL: On Thursday, 7 September 2023, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mr Sipho ‘KK’ Nkosi conducted an unparalleled physical inspection aimed at fighting against illegal occupation of government-owned buildings in Durban.
Driven by a popular Departmental service delivery programme, Operation Siyahlola, today’s inspection only targeted the Durban Central Business District, however, this will later extend to other areas as well. This oversight visit comes after the MEC’s unambiguous commitment to halt illegal occupation of state-owned buildings which have become hives of criminal activities.
Upon assumption of office on the 23rd May 2023, the MEC took a stand when he made such a commitment and pronouncement of his solid stance against law breakers who are notorious of hijacking state-owned buildings located across all corners of the province.
Left: One of the buildings visited on the day (Palm Beach Hotel). Right: MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Sipho Nkosi with KZN Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Makhosazane Zungu during an oversight inspection of hijacked state-owned buildings in the Durban CBD
The MEC was accompanied by the KZN Public Works Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Makhosazane Zungu, Departmental Senior Management and representatives of the eThekwini Municipality when he visited establishments which included the West Point Lodge, Seaman’s Institute, Palm Beach Hotel, Esplanade Government Building and the Castle in Mayville. He was quoted saying “We are very clear on the decisions we are going to take in ensuring that we repurpose these buildings. It also remains a matter of paramount importance that, we consider these buildings to be disposed of.”
The MEC strongly condemns unlawful occupation of government buildings as he formally adopts a-zero tolerance stance against those who intend to utilize them for their own shenanigans. He indicated that it was a sore point where they discovered in the two hijacked buildings that there are people living in such dilapidated conditions, “it is our responsibility to make sure that the living conditions of our people are improved.”