Fight to preserve 'historic' buildings

A year after the Western Cape department of public works was ordered to stop bulldozing buildings in De Novo, near Cape Town, which is said to have historic importance, the area is still covered in rubble.

The provincial department of transport and public works last year started demolishing some of the vacant buildings without the permission of the heritage resources authority.

Horrified residents complained to the heritage authorities.

The buildings were allocated by King George VI of Britain to coloured soldiers wounded in World War2.

The CEO of Heritage Western Cape, Andrew Hall, said a "stop work order" had been issued in September after residents complained.

The rubble-strewn area has become a dangerous playground for primary school children.

Henry Gouws, spokesman of the De Novo steering committee, said: "They (Public Works) don't care about the history of coloured people, they just demolished the homes without permission. One of the buildings was a primitive jail."

Hall said the department has since applied for a demolition permit and will have to investigate the community's contention that the buildings have heritage value.

Siphesihle Dube, spokesman for transport and public works MEC Donald Grant, said the buildings were in disrepair.

"They were plundered and used for illegal activities and as a suspected hide-out for criminals.

''Due to the risk of continued criminal activities, a decision has been taken to demolish the buildings.

"Notice of the intention to do so has been communicated through the displaying of notices on strategic points on all buildings identified for demolition.

"The Western Cape government has not received any objections or appeals," said Dube.