Ward 33 residents and property stakeholders are calling for urgent action over student accommodation, problem properties, alleged illegal developments and nightlife disturbances, saying the issues are placing increasing pressure on residential neighbourhoods and businesses.
The concerns were raised at a breakfast meeting attended by representatives of the Problem Properties Forum, Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher, DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen, KwaZulu-Natal MPL Dianne Kohler Barnard and councillor Heinz de Boer.
According to Kristopher, the Problem Properties Forum has more than 700 properties on its problem list, with about half linked to student accommodation.
A memorandum containing more than 1 500 signatures was also handed over, calling for a moratorium on further student accommodation in Durban.
Calls for restrictions on new student accommodation are not new. A petition launched in August called on the municipality to halt further approvals in heavily affected areas while existing accommodation and infrastructure capacity were assessed.
Davenport was another major concern raised at the meeting, with residents complaining about blocked streets, loud music, revving vehicles and late-night disturbances associated with the area’s nightlife.
Recent community concerns about Davenport have resulted in further engagement between residents, businesses, SAPS, Metro Police and local representatives. More than 200 people attended a community meeting on the issue earlier this month.
Manor Gardens resident and business owner Janus Horn said the situation had reached a point where he was questioning his future in the country.
“I ask questions, and I ask questions, and it’s gotten to a stage now where I have to decide: do I stay in this country, or do I go?” Horn said.
Horn, who said he employs about 150 people and operates Seeker’s Guesthouse, raised concerns about alleged illegal developments, unlawful electricity and water connections, overcrowding and what he described as inadequate enforcement.
He claimed 12 double-storey blocks of flats had been constructed near his business without proper plans and that structures were also being erected on the pavement outside his premises.
“We have a problem with illegal shebeens. We have a problem with student accommodation that has just been built. There are properties with 40-plus people living there,” he said.
Horn also raised concerns about short-term rentals, allegedly illegal businesses, vacant municipal properties and properties he claimed were linked to criminal activity.
He said repeated complaints to Metro Police, building inspectors and municipal departments had failed to produce lasting solutions.
“Right now, I have people who say they don’t want to come to my business because they don’t feel safe,” Horn said.
He also questioned what he described as inconsistent enforcement against properties in the area.
“The priorities are wrong. And where’s the accountability?” he said.
Horn said businesses were additionally affected by water leaks, outages and electricity interruptions, which he believes are being exacerbated by illegal connections and pressure on infrastructure.
“I’ve done everything I can. The next step is I shut my doors and I go,” he said.
Kohler Barnard pointed to Excelsior Court as an example of the consequences of allowing problem properties to deteriorate.
Concerns surrounding the building have been raised publicly for several years, and eThekwini’s 2024/25 annual report lists Excelsior Court among properties identified for potential transformation as part of a government initiative dealing with underutilised and abandoned state-owned buildings. Kohler Barnard told the meeting that action was eventually taken to secure the property following repeated complaints.
“Within 11 days of him being notified, they had put barbed wire around it, emptied the place and have security guards morning and night,” she said.
De Boer said town planning remained a significant concern but stressed that his role on the City’s planning appeals structures did not give him control over all planning decisions.
“Town planning within the city is a major, major problem,” he said.
He said he and Kristopher had pushed for an online system through which residents could report suspected illegal developments and track complaints as they moved through municipal departments.
The eThekwini Council recently resolved to investigate unresolved land-use complaints and pursue the development of an integrated digital platform to log and track alleged violations. (The Citizen)
De Boer said the intention was not to prevent development.
“We’re not saying don’t develop. We’re saying let’s do so in a legal and responsible manner,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting said they would continue pressing for greater enforcement and accountability to protect residential neighbourhoods, businesses and property owners.
The eThekwini Municipality was approached for comment on the concerns raised and its response will be added once received.
