The pink Westpoint Lodge, overlooks the Durban Esplanade, has sweeping views of the bay and with the multi-million rand investment into upgrading the waterfront, is a prime location.
Over recent years, however, it has become notorious as the epitome of hijacked buildings in the city.
However, due to a joint operation, the building has been cleared of illegal squatters.
Ethekwini Municipality's senior communications officer, Sohana Singh, said that on Thursday, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Martin Meyer, would be accompanied by eThekwini Mayor, councillor Cyril Xaba, for the building's handover ceremony.
"The joint initiative follows a recent signing of a historic, one-of-a-kind Memorandum of Understanding between the National Public Works and Infrastructure Department, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure Department, and the eThekwini Municipality to jointly tackle the issue of hijacked and abandoned buildings, and by doing so address various needs such as housing, social services, among others," said Singh.
The pink Westpoint Lodge, located opposite the entrance to the Durban Arbour, was once a treasure for the city.
Singh said illegally inhabited residences may now be easily identified through:
- Illegal residents.
- Draping illegal electrical lines.
- Several fires in recent years have taken a few lives.
- Overcrowding.
- Ongoing dilapidation which undermines structural integrity.
"The handover of the Westpoint Lodge building marks one of the first official events since the MOU was signed."
Meyer will also announce the upcoming BUILD KZN BETTER two-day conference and how it intends to address challenges related to the built environment, such as those witnessed at Westpoint Lodge.
After the deadly Johannesburg CBD fire of 2023, the eThekwini Municipality sought to prevent such a catastrophe in the city.
Sipho Nkosi said the government and the general public had all expressed worry over government-owned facilities being utilised for unlawful activities, such as drug trafficking.
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