Long battle between Cape Town, SABC 'close to an end'

THE SABC may have to pay the City of Cape Town about R1 million to rehabilitate the derelict Rocklands Villas building in Sea Point if it ignores a High Court order for them to be cleaned up.

The money would be deducted from the broadcaster's rates account with the city, said mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith.

"There may also be eviction costs because there are one or two people living there."

The council's almost decade-long battle with the SABC over the condition of the building, located behind its premises on Beach Road, is close to an end.

The SABC was given two months by the Western Cape High Court in December to fix the building.

Councillor Taki Amira said the city had served all members of the corporation's board, not just the officials based in Cape Town, as a last attempt to get the SABC at the highest level to take responsibility.

Smith said the building needed more than "a lick of paint". Windows and door frames had to be replaced, fire damage to the walls had to be removed and overgrown grass had to be cleared.

The city had already served several notices on the SABC about the building, which has been standing empty. Once used by SABC employees as flats, the building is now frequented by drug users and street people.

Despite promises by the SABC that building would be auctioned off last year, it remains an eyesore in the area.

The owners of buildings which are deemed to be derelict or unsafe, will soon face stiff penalties and fines when the city's problem building by-law is passed.

Posted at 10:10AM Feb 05, 2010 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[1]