The building was built during the time of the now defunct KwaZulu-Natal government under the late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, then the Chief Minister, and has been lying idle for decades since the ANC-led government immediately abandoned the structure after taking power from the IFP in 2004.


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However, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said it cannot be business as usual when such unused buildings drain the limited resources of the provincial government through rates and other related costs.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, the MEC said his department was busy finalising proposals which would be presented to the Cabinet on what to do with the building in order for it to be useful again.

“I think the media understands that this is a politically sensitive matter but I can confirm that in our proposal there are a couple of options that we will soon present to the cabinet for approval,” said the MEC.

The SA Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority has filed papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for the provisional liquidation of Ithala SOC Limited. This comes after the authority appointed a repayment administrator responsible for the repayment of deposits.

Although commonly referred to as a bank, Ithala was never granted a banking licence. However, the Minister of Finance granted an exemption to Ithala allowing the entity to receive deposits while it regularised its operations.

According to the SA Reserve Bank, the repayment administrator has established that Ithala is technically and legally insolvent, exposing depositors to potential loss of their deposits.

Last week, PSiRA noted allegations against Pro Secure CEO Ferrel Govender, who was arrested alongside his brother, Darren. Both are accused of murdering uMhlanga businessman Shailen Singh. Singh, 32, was shot dead in uMhlanga on December 29, 2024.



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The brothers are awaiting a decision on their bail application in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

On Monday, Pro Secure issued a statement in light of widespread speculation regarding the volatile status of the security service, which stated that PSiRA had suspended them.

“We would like to reassure our clients, partners, and the public that these claims are false and have been misrepresented by the media, social media platforms, and other service providers,” Pro Secure said.

Location: Umlazi T-Section, Ward 89, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Type: Community rental housing for low-income households (R800–R3,500/month)

Client: eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Funding: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements
Contractors: Varies by phase; Phase 1 handled by Mandlethu Projects (2009 pilot)
Project Value: Approx. R31 million – R60 million per phase
Total CRU investment in Umlazi area: Over R111 million

Phases and Dates:

2009 – Pilot phase began under Mandlethu Projects

2022 to 2024 – Phase 2: Construction of 54 units began, extended to April 2025

June 2024 – Tender issued for Phase 3A: 96 new units

November 2024 – Oversight visit confirmed 2 of 9 blocks were under construction

Challenges:

Delays from structural issues in old hostels

Tensions over procurement; DA and IFP questioned R19.1 million extension

Residents in nearby units faced poor services, non-payment issues

CRU design criticized for not matching cultural/household needs