Two foreigners who have allegedly ‘hijacked’ a commercial building that was turned into a residential block of flats on Umgeni Road, Durban, are demanding R3m from the owner of the building to move out.

The building, which has been condemned by eThekwini Municipality’s Inner City Thekwini Regeneration and Urban Management Programme, was deemed unsafe and non-compliant, notes a Sunday Tribune report.

According to the property managing agent, Imar Group of Companies, Derege Lemesa and Lydia Desta have not been paying rent since October and refused to be moved from the property.

While not paying rent they also obtained an interdict from the KZN High Court (Durban) to avoid being evicted by the owner.

But the matter went on review and the interdict was overturned.

The case was later struck off the roll.

Lemesa and Desta had leased the building to run it as a lodge, but they have since subdivided it into 60 rooms which was occupied by more than 200 people.

Marthinus Claasen, director of the managing agent, said the situation had become extremely dangerous with Covid-19 health and safety regulations not being adhered to. He said they have terminated the lease contract but the Ethiopian nationals refused to leave the building.

According to the e-mail sent to the agent, by Rajesh Singh, their lawyer said: ‘My clients were given a vacant piece of land and had built the entire structure at their cost. The cost of putting up the structure was R3m, upon payment of the costs they are willing to vacate the premises.’

Claasen alleged that Lemesa and Desta had also threatened the estate agents and refused to let them inside to inspect the building and to undertake renovations.

‘We have opened cases of threats and intimidation at the Durban central police station,’ he said.

Full Sunday Tribune report (subscription needed)