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‘High-rise’ is more of an intention than a reality for the building at 317 Currie Road in Durban.

For years now, it has been the subject of multiple court cases between those who are trying to keep it under construction despite obvious obstacles, and those who want it torn down.

Many have joined the latter group as the saga stretches on, most recently clinical infectious disease epidemiologist, and South Africa’s chief scientific adviser on COVID-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, who lives close to the building.

TimesLIVE reports that the matter is currently in the Durban High Court, following an application by community activist group Save our Berea, to set aside the town planning approval given by the eThekwini municipality to continue development on the “monstrosity”.

Way back in 2015, a demolition order had already been granted but it was overturned by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Image: Professor Salim Abdool Karim, by Sandile Ndlovu

The company originally in charge of developing the high-rise Serengeti Rise Industries, has subsequently gone into liquidation, and the building went on auction where it was bought by ITPRO Trading.

In his affidavit, Karim outlines his reasons for joining the battle. Following a call to Save our Berea’s Cheryl Johnson and Advocate Tayob Aboobaker, he was informed that litigation surrounding the application had been stalled because the municipality failed to produce the record of the decision to allow construction to continue.

“Apart from being personally affected, I have over many years taken a firm stance against maladministration and corruption and would do everything in my power to expose it.

Image: Facebook / Save Our Berea

I believe that citizens should take  a stance against maladministration such as town planning abuse.”

To add to the scandal, the site where the building is periodically under construction was home to a building, built in 1917, that was demolished without approval from heritage body Amafa.

You can read more about the plans for litigation going forward here.

[source:timeslive]