Durban — Prominent Albany Grove in the Durban CBD has come into the spotlight after residents complained of deteriorating conditions and an increase in homeless people.
Albany Grove is situated between Anton Lembede Street and Margaret Mncadi Avenue in the vicinity of the Playhouse Company and the Durban City Hall.
Concerned resident Leiane Charnley complained of non-functioning street lights and crime. Charnley, who has been living in a block of flats since 1981, witnessed first-hand the deterioration of the Durban CBD buildings.
Charnley said that other residents sold their flats for next to nothing.
“Homeless people from Albany Centre block of flats empty out all the bins on domestic refuse collection day. They have washing hanging out of the windows.
“They also said that the first floor of the building is completely burnt out since 2006.
“We have not had working street lights since 2019. We have reported the matter yet no one has come to check on the matter.”
Another resident who did not wish to be named said that walking past the building to their building became dangerous because of criminals lurking in the morning and evening.
EThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said all areas in the inner city are included in the Inner-City Regeneration project.
“It is only through active citizenry and compliance to municipal by-laws that we will be able to live, work and play in a city that we can all be proud of. Partnering with the City and practising civic pride is an important step in achieving a rejuvenated CBD area,” Sisilana said.
The municipality also called on all users of the CBD, whether they are residents, commuters, office workers, businesses, traders or property owners, to abide by the law and act in a manner that will add value to the city. Infrastructure theft and vandalism has created a backlog on street light repairs.
“However, due to the long-standing nature of this fault, it has been reassigned for urgent attention and repair,” Sisilana said.
The eThekwini Municipality urges residents to report criminal activity to the SAPS and Metro Police on 031 361 0000 or 10111.
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Daily News