Cape Town forces SABC to repair slum buildings

The City of Cape Town obtained a High Court Order at the end of December ordering the SABC to repair, clean and repaint the buildings known as Rocklands Villas within two months. These buildings are situated behind the SABC Building in Beach Road, Sea Point.

The order also requires the SABC to prevent any further occupation of the buildings.

In the event of the SABC failing to comply with the terms of the order, the Court has authorised the Sheriff to undertake the repair, cleaning and repainting of the buildings and to recover the costs from the SABC.

Should the SABC fail to reimburse the Sheriff, the City may, on behalf of the Sheriff, proceed with a warrant of execution in respect of all the costs of the Sheriff, including the costs of any third parties engaged by the Sheriff. This means that the City does not have to approach the Courts again to recover any costs incurred.

Cllr JP Smith, Ward Councillor for the Sea Point area, commented that the court order was welcomed by him and the Sea Point community. They had fought hard to get justice in response to the neglect the SABC and its slum building had subjected the surrounding neighbourhood to. "After numerous meetings with the SABC, letters, e-mails, and phone calls to them, protest marches and pickets outside their gates, memoranda being handed over, motions to Council and name-and-shame media coverage, they have finally been forced to do the right thing and act responsibly. This is a warning to all slumlords in the city - if we can make the SABC get their house in order, we can clean up your building as well! We are tired of property owners behaving with contempt for the law, "Cllr Smith said.

Cllr Taki Amira, Chairperson of the Good Hope Subcouncil, said: "It is indeed heartening that the High Court gave judgment in favour of the City in this long running saga. I sincerely urge and look forward to the Sheriff acting on the order as a matter of urgency. I personally will ensure that City officials keep this building and the Court judgment foremost in mind to ensure compliance from the SABC."

Cheryl Walters, the City's Director: Planning and Building Development Management, said: "This action was brought by the Planning and Building Development Management Department and was the culmination of a concerted effort by the Department's officials after several Notices were served on the SABC which were ignored. We view this judgement as a major step forward in dealing with problem buildings across the city."

"The action was taken in terms of the existing City of Cape Town Building By-law, which although adequate does not allow speedy action to be taken to arrive at the position we find ourselves in today i.e. a favourable court order."

"The new 'Problem Building By- law', now in its final approval stages, will streamline and cut down red tape in dealing with building owners who allow their properties to become a problem in their neighbourhoods," Walters added.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/MediaReleases/Pages/CityobtainscourtordertocompelSABCtotakeactiononRocklandsVillas.aspx

Posted at 08:58AM Jan 12, 2010 by Editor in Residential  |  Comments[5]