Richmond laundry fight still dirty
2008-04-17 · Gauteng
Read the latest update on the saga over the demolition at the proclaimed Rand Steam Laundries heritage site in Richmond, Johannesburg.
Property24 recently reported on the successful protest demonstration that took place on the 7 February 2008 outside the proclaimed Rand Steam Laundries heritage site in Richmond, Johannesburg.
In the last update, Parktown Heritage & Westcliff Heritage Trust's chairman, Flo Bird, said that the latest tactic of the Imperial Group of trying to sell the land to try to escape from the problem they created, was almost childish.
Concerns were raised that squatters could seize the land that for a period remained unfenced, despite promises made to do so. However, more recent events have seen the erection of fences and gates on Napier Road, with the added security of an on-site guard.
In a recent letter, issued to those who have signed the petition against the Imperial Group, Bird was asked to stop the high profile media campaign against Imperial and was told by the company that the site would still be up for sale as the group had a lot of capital tied up in the site.
Many of the petitioners would like to see a sign erected outside the site with the following message: "Heritage site destroyed by the owner Imperial. Charges have been laid with the police for the illegal demolition of heritage structures – a criminal offence in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act that carries, if convicted, a penalty – namely a fine and jail sentence, or both. Owner may be required to re-instate heritage buildings!"
A meeting between the two sides has further complicated the issue as it was not made clear according to Egoli Heritage Trust and Parktown Heritage Trust members why the order to demolish the buildings was still carried out in the face of the National Heritage Resources Act, protecting the buildings against such an outcome.
Successful outcomes that have been called upon by the relevant Trusts involved, include a swift prosecution before a court of a law, the rebuilding of those parts of the laundry that lie in ruin due to the demolishers' efforts and the extension of protection over the existing historical structures in the area.
For more information visit the Facebook group "Stop demolishing our heritage!". - James Monteiro
Property24 recently reported on the successful protest demonstration that took place on the 7 February 2008 outside the proclaimed Rand Steam Laundries heritage site in Richmond, Johannesburg.
In the last update, Parktown Heritage & Westcliff Heritage Trust's chairman, Flo Bird, said that the latest tactic of the Imperial Group of trying to sell the land to try to escape from the problem they created, was almost childish.
Concerns were raised that squatters could seize the land that for a period remained unfenced, despite promises made to do so. However, more recent events have seen the erection of fences and gates on Napier Road, with the added security of an on-site guard.
In a recent letter, issued to those who have signed the petition against the Imperial Group, Bird was asked to stop the high profile media campaign against Imperial and was told by the company that the site would still be up for sale as the group had a lot of capital tied up in the site.
Many of the petitioners would like to see a sign erected outside the site with the following message: "Heritage site destroyed by the owner Imperial. Charges have been laid with the police for the illegal demolition of heritage structures – a criminal offence in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act that carries, if convicted, a penalty – namely a fine and jail sentence, or both. Owner may be required to re-instate heritage buildings!"
A meeting between the two sides has further complicated the issue as it was not made clear according to Egoli Heritage Trust and Parktown Heritage Trust members why the order to demolish the buildings was still carried out in the face of the National Heritage Resources Act, protecting the buildings against such an outcome.
Successful outcomes that have been called upon by the relevant Trusts involved, include a swift prosecution before a court of a law, the rebuilding of those parts of the laundry that lie in ruin due to the demolishers' efforts and the extension of protection over the existing historical structures in the area.
For more information visit the Facebook group "Stop demolishing our heritage!". - James Monteiro
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