'Problem building' demolished in Bellville CBD

A derelict building in the Bellville CBD, long associated with crime and drug use, was demolished on Wednesday, June 4.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed its removal as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety and revitalise the area.

He said the dilapidated building on the corner of Charl Malan and Kerk Streets was a spot for crime and drug consumption.    

“One by one, we are tackling problem buildings, whether they are owned by private owners or other state departments,” he said in a post on social media. “Some we tackle with demolition, others with sale in execution. But they must all go.”

Wayne Dyason, the spokesperson for City Law Enforcement, said the building was demolished by the registered owner of the property.

“There are no further demolitions or auctions planned in the northern suburbs at (this point),” he told Northern News.

The Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (CID) also welcomed the demolition. 

“Once a hotspot for crime and decay, this abandoned structure has now been cleared, paving the way for progress, safety, and urban regeneration,” it said in a statement.