The once-bustling neighbourhood of Central has been plagued by a hijacked building at 35 Clyde Street, which has become a notorious crime den.
The building, now a haven for criminals, has left the community in a state of fear and frustration. It is one of over 100 problem buildings in North End, Richmond Hill, the CBD, and Central, which have been taken over by the homeless. They have made makeshift homes within its dilapidated walls, and the living conditions are dire.
The stench of waste permeates the air, and the burnt roof poses a constant threat of collapse, endangering the lives of those seeking refuge within, including children.
On Thursday, September 5, community members led by Councillor Terri Stander took to the building in a planned protest, to be vocal about the issue.
“This building is a den of crime and waste. It houses criminals who terrorise the community. All efforts to get the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) to demolish the building, as provided for in the Problem Building By-Law, have failed,” said Stander.
The Operational Manager at the Gqeberha Central Special Rated Area (SRA), Hayley Stirk, said the owner of the building was approached to demolish the building, but due to lack of funds gave permission for the city to demolish it instead.
“The demolition can cost roughly R55 000, so because the owner cannot afford it, a year ago we went through the process of applying for the city to take over, which was granted.
“That process costs money and was granted in November last year. The approval expires in November this year, and if not done, we would have to start all over again, which will mean more costs and yet another year for the procedure,” said Stirk.
“This is one of a few very problematic buildings and is our priority. Once demolished, it will definitely decrease the crime here. We’re an NPO, so we can’t afford to demolish it ourselves; if we could, we would’ve got rid of it already,” she said.
Master Property Practitioner, Kevin Slattery, echoed Stirk’s sentiments.
“For four or five years now, this here has been the primary crime hot spot. This is where about seven people were shot and killed a few years ago, and yet still nothing is done. It’s despicable that nothing has been done; it has taken an NPO to take action, and they’re still not met halfway. Students are at risk here; we need to protect them. They can’t come from rural areas to potentially die here because of the lack of action by the city,” said Slattery.
The protest was aimed at drawing attention to the dire situation and demanding action from the authorities.
The protest was not just about 35 Clyde Street, but also about the broader issue of problem buildings in the area. These buildings have become breeding grounds for crime, affecting the safety and well-being of the entire community. Stander said despite numerous attempts to address the issue, including appeals to Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk, little progress has been made.
“Mayor Gary van Niekerk was asked to assist, but trips to China are his priority,” Stander remarked.
As the community prepares to protest, they hope their collective voice will bring about much-needed change, and prompt the authorities to take decisive action against problem buildings.
“The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has allocated R16.4 million from its operating budget to bolster crime-fighting initiatives. This significant investment underscores the municipality’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its residents,” read a recent statement issued by the municipality.
In response, Municipality Spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said they acknowledge the concerns raised by residents regarding problem buildings and understand the frustration and distress caused by these structures, which have become hubs for criminal activity and waste.
“The safety and well-being of our residents are of utmost importance to us. We are increasing patrols and law enforcement presence in affected areas to deter criminal activities and ensure the safety of our residents.”
“The Human Settlement Directorate is tasked with working closely with community leaders and residents to identify and prioritise problem buildings for immediate action. We are intensifying efforts to hold property owners accountable under the relevant By-Law. Where necessary, legal actions will be pursued against non-compliant owners to ensure they meet their obligations.”
Soyaya added that the municipality is in the process of accelerating the demolition of derelict buildings and rehabilitating these sites to prevent them from becoming future nuisances.
“Mayor Gary van Niekerk is fully committed to addressing these issues. While international engagements are part of our broader strategy to attract investment and development to our city, local concerns remain a top priority. The Mayor has directed relevant departments to expedite actions on problem buildings and will personally oversee the progress.
We urge all residents to continue reporting problem buildings and any suspicious activities to our dedicated hotline. Your cooperation is vital in our collective effort to reclaim and revitalise our communities.”
