By Nangamso Mabindla

Buffalo City Municipality is to investigate the state of residential buildings around East London as part of an initiative to improve the living conditions of its citizens.

The decision follows a report to council last month that a block of flats, Skyways in Southernwood, is in an unsatisfactory condition.

Ward councillor Avis Rens said the council planned to sell the building to a housing association or an appropriate body to recover the more than R1-million in outstanding rates and taxes.

Most of the flats in the Skyways building have been vandalised. According to the report, only six out of the 70 flats in the 14-storey building are legally owned.

"The building has become a liability to the municipality because some people live there illegally and they are not paying for the services they use," Rens said.

The municipality was planning to take legal action to evict illegal occupants from the building.

The sale of the building was part of a process of upgrading the area. "We would like to have the flats renovated and in a healthy state for residents," Rens said.

She said other buildings around the city were in a similar state and the municipality was planning to investigate other residential buildings, particularly in the Quigney and Southernwood suburbs.

"It is important that our people live in good conditions," she said.

Education was vital in helping people to make informed choices when purchasing properties and various banks had been approached to hold workshops for prospective buyers on points to look for before spending money on property.

"People need to be empowered. Some of our people are not educated in things like insurance. If workshops can be held, I'm sure people will understand the value of their property and take care of it."