Mhlope aims for a clean and safe ward 66

Bez Valley resident and Ward 66 committee member, Monde Mhlope said he wishes for a safe, clean ward free of hijacked houses.

Mhlope is the ward committee member for housing.

Also read: Dube calls on community participation in Ward 66

“Ward 66 has a number of housing problems that need to be addressed. People need to inform us, the committee, of such issues in order to address them,” said Mhlope.

He said he plans to focus on the illegal evictions and hijacked buildings in the ward and to call a public meeting to educate the community on these issues.

“People need to know the difference between legal eviction and illegal eviction. We need to get together to share ideas on how residents can make sure it does not happen,” said Mhlope.

Also read: Take pride in your suburb

He said for problems to be resolved, people need to work together and take a stance against hijacked buildings.

“It’s a serious problem because sometimes the tenants don’t even care about the property. They vandalise and that also affects the property value in the area,” said Mhlope.

He said people need to realise occupying a house or building illegally, is a criminal act.

“As a committee member, I’m here to assist residents. I have found incidents where the elderly lived alone and people just move into the property after the person’s death. That is wrong. As a community, we need to look at these situations and protect each other. Allowing such behaviour attracts criminal elements into the area, “ said Monde.

He said Ward 66 is a diverse ward facing a number of challenges.

“Kensington is different to Bez Valley and Bertrams but, if we work together, we can achieve a clean and safe ward,” said Mhlope.

Contact Mhlope on 073 0720 102.