{"id":296882,"date":"2026-03-11T13:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?p=296882"},"modified":"2026-03-11T13:55:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:55:44","slug":"from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"From problem buildings to safer streets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GQEBERHA<\/strong> – The Central Special Rating Area (SRA), a non-profit organisation run by volunteers and supported by homeowners, has been taking proactive steps to address neglected buildings and improve safety in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covering the area between Rink Street, Russel Road, Donkin and the Baakens Valley, the SRA has dealt with several problem buildings.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A few years back, there were many problem buildings in that area. Some were sold and redone into student accommodation,” said David Edwards, chairperson of the Central SRA.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have helped in the past owners to have buildings renovated and assisted with demolition and getting approvals. There was a building taken down in Hout Street. When it comes to problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, not many are left.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, the SRA secured an abandoned building on Prospect Hill.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There is a dispute on who owns that building, and it has outstanding municipal bills,” he explained.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The bylaws allow the municipality to take action on buildings that are neglected and abandoned. Unfortunately, it takes time, though, and we have not seen it successfully implemented.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a temporary solution, Central SRA bricked up the front of the building to make sure it a safer space for the St Augustine Church and St Augustine School.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Central Special Rating Area (SRA) helped to brick up a problem building in Central. PHOTO: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“We bricked it up to stop easy access and criminal activity. Since we’ve done it, in the past few days, the principal has said there has been a significant improvement,” Edwards shared. “I think as a temporary solution, it has solved that problem.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Central SRA also focuses on improving overall safety and cleanliness in the area.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have 75 cameras, monitored by the Citywide control room and armed vehicles patrolling 24\/7,” Edwards explained of their proactive measures to reduce crime.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have seen a reduction in crime reported, and if only more people implemented a proactive approach in their area, they could also see the improvement.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formed as a non-profit association under municipal regulations, the Central SRA operates with a team of volunteers and employees.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are an Association not for gain, a group of directors who are volunteers who want to see improvement in the area. We also have a team headed up by an operations manager with six employees doing waste management.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Edwards, several tons of waste are taken out of the area and disposed of at the municipal tip per month.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SRA also runs community initiatives such as heritage tours.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“On a monthly basis, we sponsor a heritage walk, where we have a tour guide retained for a three- to four-hour walk around Central, providing historical information,” Edwards shared.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The public is welcome to come to an activity that is free of charge and safe with security provided on the day.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other planned monthly activities include Saturday clean-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Municipality takes action on problem buildings<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Central Special Rating Area (SRA) has been taking proactive steps to address neglected buildings and improve safety in the area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":296883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"76","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"0","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"A problem building was bricked up on Prospect Hill last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"From problem buildings to safer streets","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["nbCentral_P1","nbCentral_P2","nbCentral_P3"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[9486,7874,9485,7909],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-296882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-central-special-rating-area","tag-local-news","tag-problem-buildings","tag-recommended"],"yoast_head":"\nFrom problem buildings to safer streets | PE Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From problem buildings to safer streets\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PE Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Natasha Bezuidenhout\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@express_newspapers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@express_newspapers\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Natasha Bezuidenhout\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e681a86f153c9cd337d9a4a92c4737e2\"},\"headline\":\"From problem buildings to safer streets\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":495,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Central Special Rating Area\",\"Local News\",\"problem buildings\",\"Recommended\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/\",\"name\":\"From problem buildings to safer streets | PE Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"A problem building was bricked up on Prospect Hill last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"From problem buildings to safer streets\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"PE Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"PE Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/pe-express-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/pe-express-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"PE Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/express_newspapers\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\\\/videos\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e681a86f153c9cd337d9a4a92c4737e2\",\"name\":\"Natasha Bezuidenhout\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Natasha Bezuidenhout\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/author\\\/natasha-bezuidenhout\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"From problem buildings to safer streets | PE Express","description":"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"From problem buildings to safer streets","og_description":"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/","og_site_name":"PE Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":900,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Natasha Bezuidenhout","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@express_newspapers","twitter_site":"@express_newspapers","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/"},"author":{"name":"Natasha Bezuidenhout","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e681a86f153c9cd337d9a4a92c4737e2"},"headline":"From problem buildings to safer streets","datePublished":"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/"},"wordCount":495,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","keywords":["Central Special Rating Area","Local News","problem buildings","Recommended"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/","name":"From problem buildings to safer streets | PE Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","datePublished":"2026-03-11T11:55:42+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-11T11:55:44+00:00","description":"Discover the efforts made by volunteers to resolve problem buildings in the Central Special Rating Area, improving local safety.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","width":1200,"height":900,"caption":"A problem building was bricked up on Prospect Hill last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/from-problem-buildings-to-safer-streets\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"From problem buildings to safer streets"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/","name":"PE Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization","name":"PE Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/pe-express-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/pe-express-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"PE Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/x.com\/express_newspapers","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000\/videos"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e681a86f153c9cd337d9a4a92c4737e2","name":"Natasha Bezuidenhout","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Natasha Bezuidenhout"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/author\/natasha-bezuidenhout\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/abaondonedbuilding7_38475.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":265027,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/richmond-hill-community-in-action\/","url_meta":{"origin":296882,"position":0},"title":"Richmond Hill community in action","author":"PE Express","date":"26 June 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"RICHMOND Hill\u2019s residents have taken to the streets as volunteers to paint faded road markings.And as a bonus, they are getting to know their neighbours better, according to Richmond Hill Special Rates Area (RHSRA) office manager, Sharon Pretorius.With residents having been invited to select their own intersections, with most choosing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PHOTO1_20046.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PHOTO1_20046.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PHOTO1_20046.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PHOTO1_20046.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/PHOTO1_20046.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297197,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/protest-over-igbo-king-coronation-turns-violent-in-eastern-cape\/","url_meta":{"origin":296882,"position":1},"title":"Protest over Nigerian ‘king\u2019 coronation turns violent in Eastern Cape","author":"PE Express","date":"30 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A protest in KuGompo in the Eastern Cape over the alleged coronation of an Igbo king has turned violent, with vehicles and buildings torched.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"In a social media post, ActionSA said it marched alongside traditional leaders in opposition to what it described as an unlawful coronation.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/traditional-leaders-march.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":294710,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/anti-gbv-organisation-hosts-community-dialogues\/","url_meta":{"origin":296882,"position":2},"title":"Anti-GBV organisation hosts community dialogues","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"20 November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"TO ensure that members of the Not in My Name International Organisation continue fighting against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the organisation recently hosted dialogues in different areas of the O.R. Tambo District and in Ngcobo. According to the programme coordinator of Not in My Name International Organisation, Someleze Ngoyi, among the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_9433_87425.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_9433_87425.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_9433_87425.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_9433_87425.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_9433_87425.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"PE Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296882"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296882\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296882"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=296882"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=296882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}