City to demolish fire-damaged China Emporium building

Almost eight months after the eThekwini Municipality won a legal battle to have the fire-damaged China Emporium building in Durban’s CBD demolished, the building is set to come tumbling down today, Friday April 26.

In September last year the eThekwini municipality was given the green light (at full Council) to spend R28.9 million to demolish the burnt ruins of the building.

After a fire in the building in January 2022, it was condemned as it was a public health safety hazard due to structural damage and had became an eyesore.

A structural engineer’s report received days after the fire recommended that the entire building be demolished. Due to non-action by the owners, the municipality approached court for the demolition of the building to be granted through a court order.

Owner of the building, Zoloscore Investments (Pty) Ltd was then given six months to demolish the building but failed to do so, rendering them in breach of the court order.

The City was then empowered to demolish the building and recover the costs from the building owner.

After following the required supply chain management processes, a service provider, Atomic Demolishers was appointed to handle the demolition.

On Friday eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda will be present at the demolition and go on a tour showcasing some of the successes of the City in dealing with “problem” buildings.