The Jeppe Community Police Forum (JCPF) chairperson, Mr Zola Dambula, is calling for the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) to flatten the abandoned houses in the City.
Mr Dambula said he has been bombarded by complaints from residents, saying that abandoned properties attract criminals and crime.
“People are raped in these houses. Loot is hidden in these houses. Criminals hide in these houses to scout or monitor the area before they strike at residents passing by or break into their properties. Dirty places are just ‘unpolicable’,” he said.
He said residents are complaining that the abandoned houses are affecting their property values.
“If you have a vacant house next to you, you cannot sell your house. Who would want to stay next to a crime-attracting propert?” asked Mr Dambula.
He said the owners of these houses are sometimes untraceable.
“This is not a problem in one suburb only – it is a wide-spread problem. They leave their houses as they are. Sometimes they leave them with furniture inside. Those owners who are traceable are not interested in the properties, but they also do not want to sell or give the property away. That is inconsiderate to your neighbours. We have a housing problem in this country. If you no longer want your property, sell it or give it to someone who wants it. Do not let it be a nuisance to others,” said Mr Dambula.
According to Mr Dambula, if the council cannot trace the owners, or if they are not interested in the property, council should take ownership of the property.
“Rebuild them and resell them. Failing which, demolish them. Let it be an open and clean space. A space that is easy for the police and the community to see what is going on,” he said.
An inquiry was sent to the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) media relations deputy director, Mr Nthatisi Modingoane on Wednesday, March 30, with a request for comment by Thursday, March 31 at 9am. Mr Modingoane asked for more time to investigate the matter as it was a broad problem.
