MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Ken Denton Declared Public Enemy Number 1

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Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken up the fight against slumlords in Nelson Mandela Bay by laying criminal charges against the infamous developer Ken Denton, who owns many decrepit buildings in Gqeberha’s inner city.

Derelict buildings, specifically in Central, have become a haven for criminals dealing drugs and attacking and robbing residents and tourists. Many of these buildings, owned by Denton, have become dens of iniquity and have become major contributors to crime spiralling out of control.

Today, 05 February 2025, I was joined by DA NMB Caucus Leader, Cllr Rano Kayser, and NMB Ward 5 councillor, Cllr Terri Stander, for an oversight inspection of the historic Old Post Office Complex in Central, which is owned by Denton.

We were shocked to find that the complex, which forms part of Nelson Mandela Bay’s rich history, continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate.

The complex was declared a National Monument on 26 October 1984 and is a Grade 2 structure. Like several other buildings owned by Denton, the complex has become an eyesore.

[see pictures here, here, here, here and here]

The DA has now declared Denton Public Enemy Number 1. There are others like him, but he is the original slumlord of Nelson Mandela Bay.

We have, therefore, laid criminal charges against him under Sections 27(18) and 34(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA).

The law clearly states that any person who fails to protect a heritage object or contravenes the NHRA is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine, imprisonment, or both, for a period of up to five years.

Furthermore, we intend to explore the possibility of laying additional charges against Denton under the Criminal Procedure Act. We hold him accountable for turning a blind eye to the criminal activities on his properties. His inaction has devastating consequences, and we believe that he bears responsibility for the harm caused, as if he has ‘blood on his hands’.

The DA intends to engage the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) to act to protect Nelson Mandela Bay’s heritage resources by evoking Section 45(1) of the NHRA. This section grants the PHRA the power to issue a “compulsory repair order” on a heritage site if it is deemed to be in disrepair, at risk of destruction, or needs protection from potential development, effectively requiring the owner to take necessary steps to preserve the heritage resource.

We will also compel the municipality to enforce its Problem Buildings Bylaw and engage anchor tenants at Denton’s other properties to exert pressure on him.

The DA will hold slumlords like Denton accountable to ensure that the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay are no longer subjected to the criminal elements that have plagued our inner city.

Regards

Retief Odendaal MPL
PE Southwest Constituency Leader

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