The once-stunning pink Westpoint Lodge, with its sweeping views of the Durban Esplanade and the bay, has long been a symbol of both potential and neglect. Nestled in a prime location, it should have been a jewel of the city’s real estate, especially with the multi-million-rand investment in the waterfront upgrade. Yet, over the years, the building has become notorious as one of the city’s most infamous hijacked properties.
For years, Westpoint Lodge stood as an eyesore, plagued by illegal squatters, a situation made worse by dangerous conditions, including illegal electricity connections, overcrowding, and several fatal fires. The building’s structural integrity was steadily undermined, its value as a property continually eroded. But in a breakthrough move, the building was recently cleared of illegal residents thanks to a joint operation led by several levels of government.
On Thursday, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Martin Meyer, along with eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, will be present for a handover ceremony marking the building’s transition back into the hands of authorities. This event highlights the success of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the National Public Works and Infrastructure Department, the KZN Public Works and Infrastructure Department, and the eThekwini Municipality. The agreement is part of a broader strategy to combat the scourge of hijacked and abandoned buildings in the region, which are often rife with illegal activities such as drug trafficking and other crimes.
“The joint initiative marks a crucial step forward,” said Sohana Singh, senior communications officer for eThekwini Municipality. “By addressing issues like housing and social services, we aim to improve the safety and integrity of our urban environment.”
Westpoint Lodge, which once graced the Durban skyline, has been a tragic reminder of how unchecked urban decay can devastate both a building’s value and the lives of those within it. With illegal residents using the building as a base for illicit activities, including drug dealing, and fires taking a deadly toll, the property had become a disaster waiting to happen.
Now, with the completion of the joint operation, the city hopes to reclaim the area for safe, legal use. Singh highlighted some of the glaring issues that had become synonymous with hijacked buildings, including overcrowding, dangerous illegal wiring, and ongoing structural deterioration.
The handover ceremony marks the beginning of a new era for Westpoint Lodge and is one of the first official actions following the MOU’s signing. Meyer will also take the opportunity to announce the BUILD KZN BETTER two-day conference, which aims to tackle the challenges facing the built environment in the region, including the complex issues that have plagued buildings like Westpoint Lodge.
Following the deadly Johannesburg CBD fire of 2023, the eThekwini Municipality has been particularly focused on preventing similar tragedies. The government’s ongoing concern over the use of government-owned properties for illegal activities further underscores the urgency of cleaning up hijacked buildings and restoring order to the city’s urban landscape.
With the Westpoint Lodge operation now completed, officials are hopeful this will serve as a model for future efforts to combat the hijacking of buildings and restore public safety in Durban’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
