A Kensington resident is pleading with authorities to stop overcrowding and hijacking of houses.
The resident, who did not want her name published, said Kensington is quickly becoming like the surrounding suburbs.
“We never had these problems before. Now, in just Benbow Street alone, there are several problem properties and we are at our wits end. There is one property which has 17 people living on it. One person is also living in what used to be the bathroom. They are being charged about R500 a month for rent. There are no cooking or sanitation facilities,” said the resident.
The resident also said that people are building illegally against boundary walls, dumping illegally and that the noise emanating from problem houses is unbearable.
She said there is another property in the same street which is being sublet to a number of people. “Traffic at night is a dreadful. Residents suspect there is prostitution taking place at these premises,” she said.
She said there are also properties in Kitchener Avenue that are overcrowded. “There are shacks there and people are stealing electricity. We have been living here for years and Kensington was never like this. It used to be quiet, clean and safe. Why do we have to live like this now? Property values are suffering and crime is increasing. These living conditions pose a health risk. Slumlords are making a killing because they are cramming people into these houses. Why is action not being taken against them? What is the councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha, council and the SAPS doing about this?” she said.
Over the past few years, several Kensington residents have been warning of the possible deterioration of the suburb if the few problem houses were not attended to. They were afraid it would soon become like areas such as Malvern.
The resident said she will not move out. “Overcrowding and the hijacking of properties is increasing but I will not leave. Why should I? We have to fight for our suburb. Residents need to stand together and fight and demand action,” she said.
The EXPRESS forwarded an enquiry to the city. Ms Dudu Lushaba said she was still waiting for information from the relevant department. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
