Filthy, run down Durban police flats notorious for prostitutes, gangs, drug peddlers, loud late-night parties

More than a year after The Independent on Saturday reported on the disgraceful state of three blocks of flats in Durban which are supposed to be housing policemen and women, conditions have got even worse.

Legitimate residents describe the flats as an embarrassment to the city, with the invasion of criminal gangs and violent "workers of the night".

The Independent on Saturday published a report on the shocking conditions of the flats, with pictures, on January 26, 2008, and residents and neighbours say the situation has got even worse and that the flats are now the breeding ground of criminals and thugs, and are infested with people who are not police officers.

Near the Durban Central police station are two police blocks of flats, the 16-storey Natalia Court and five-storey Somtseu Court. Both have filthy staircases, non-working lifts and the concrete slabs outside the building are cracked.

The 13-storey Excelsior Court in upmarket North Ridge Road has become notorious for prostitutes fighting on the streets, gangs, drug peddlers, loud late-night parties and other criminal elements, according to residents.

However, police management says the maintenance can only be undertaken by the Department of Public Works.

This week residents went on a walkabout with Neil Hannam, the vice-chairman of the Westville Community Policing Forum (CPF), who plans a clean-up operation at Natalia Court and Somtseu Court.

"These flats are an embarrassment to the city and there are mostly criminals here, not cops. Nothing has taken place here in the past year since the Public Works Department promised to conduct much- needed maintenance. The buildings are just falling apart and we are not seeing any development."

The Deputy Chairwoman of the committee for Durban Central Single Quarters at Somtseu Court, Futhi Ntuli, who is also a senior personnel officer at the SAPS provincial office, said only about three of the 10 communal toilets were working.

"Sometimes people can't even take a bath because there's no water. Windows and doors are broken and there are leaking pipes and taps in the bathrooms. The building hasn't been painted in years. We have been promised for the past three years that a revamp would take place, yet the building has just deteriorated."

Ntuli said they had become accustomed to broken windows, broken glass on doors and slippery floors because of leaking water pipes.

"There are children who could easily get hurt because of these huge broken pieces of glass that are exposed on the doors. Many people have fallen and hurt themselves as there's water all over the floors."

Insp Nyathi Ngubane, who lives at Somtseu Court, said life was unbearable there.

"People treat us differently when they find out that we live here. They think that we are low class because this place is filthy and run down. We are often the victim of harsh jokes and insults and everyone has lost respect for us."

Bernelee Chetty, who lives at Natalia Court with her policeman husband, said living conditions were pathetic with "total strangers" "invading" the place.

"Last month one of these guys broke into a flat and stole a DVD player. We actually saw them running away towards the police station and jumping over the fence. This place has gone to the dogs and it's getting worse as time goes by."

The caretaker at Natalia Court, James Solomon, said working at the flats had been a "terrible experience" for him.

"Two weeks ago there was a sick man on the seventh floor. It took a long time for the paramedics to get to the patient and carry him down on a stretcher, even with the help of residents."

Solomon said there was also an infestation of rats, insects and snakes at the flats.

"These insects and snakes bite residents and they get sick often. I'm terrified of cleaning underneath the staircases and in the cupboards because huge rats and snakes often just storm out of here. The electrical cables are also exposed."

The criminal activities at Excelsior Court have angered residents in neighbouring buildings, particularly those of the exclusive Overport blocks Berriedale Court, Ridge Manor, Ridgeview Heights and Marble Arch.

Tracy Smith, who lives at Marble Arch, alongside Excelsior Court, said the block was supposed to house only police officers and their families but it had become like a "brothel".

"It has become a regular occurrence for these people to get drunk and indulge in drugs with prostitutes during their noisy parties at their rundown garages which face our flats."

Brenda Fynn, who lives in nearby Ridgeview Heights, has been battling to sell her flat for the past three years. "These people have parties whenever they please. They stand outside with beers, drugs and loud music and prospective buyers are immediately put off."

However, SAPS spokesman Supt Vincent Mdunge said: "The maintenance needs are being addressed by Public Works. Residents need to remember that when they live in state-owned flats they are expected to take responsibility for their maintenance, like cleaning and electricity."

He has denied claims that there were non-police officers living at the flats. "In the past we have dealt with complaints about non-police officers and that is now resolved. We have also found that certain members at Natalia have exaggerated about living conditions and the flats have been vandalised by residents themselves."

When asked in 2006, the national Department of Public Works indicated that a R9 million project to renovate these buildings was expected to start in April 2007.

The Independent on Saturday then did a follow-up story in January 2008 and Lucky Mochalibane, the chief director of communications and marketing at the department, said major progress was expected in the next few months.

He said residents needed to realise that there would be delays now and then.

"The processes will now and again be delayed for valid reasons. Residents must remember there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes. This is in the nature of the construction industry, particularly where the tendering system is involved."