The forgotten gardens

RESIDENTS at Marloth Gardens council flats in Berea have a list of grievances they want the municipality to sort out.

The grievances range from the state of the gardens and dilapidation of the flats, to the crumbling driveway and problem of illegal residents.

One of the concerned residents said she felt the bottom line was that the city was not doing its job.

“The municipality administers the property and collects rent from rate payers, who expect maintenance of the appearance of the property and grounds. It has taken nine years to fix the broken gate, and we have had no security. It seems the municipality doesn’t know what they are supposed to do. The control of inhabitants is non-existent, therefore there are illegal tenants on the property. This all leads to the degradation and total neglect of a prime property in an upmarket area. This is unacceptable,” she said.

The residents said visitors from all over the world stand on the viewsite above the property, to get a view of Durban and the ‘little slum’ below.

Residents have sent numerous emails to the municipality over the past 15 years, which they say have fallen on deaf ears.

“It seems the municipality is not interested. The masonry of the building is crumbling and is a danger to residents, on the inside of the flats, and on the staircases outside. A lot of people have removed the major supporting walls inside the flats to renovate without permission, which is a danger. Twenty years ago my husband sent in a complaint about the driveway but still nothing has been done. I have sent emails about maintenance, but since 1996 I have been told there’s no money. There’s money for Commonwealth Games, but nothing for us, where is the money going?” said another resident.

“We have a lease to say the municipality is responsible for the upkeep of the property. There are a lot of pensioners here and they shouldn’t have to live this way. We are not whining about nothing, this is years of complaining and nothing being done,” said a resident.

EThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said: “The City is currently in the process of acquiring a contractor to cut the grass at Marloth Gardens. The tenders for the maintenance of the gate and driveway have been advertised and are currently being evaluated. The issue regarding illegal tenants is under investigation and the Human Settlements Unit will be taking the necessary steps as a result. The Municipality asks that residents take some ownership of the cleanliness of the area and arrange clean-up campaigns to improve their living spaces.”

She said to report illegal occupants, illegal dumping and for any queries relating to the condition of the flats, residents are urged to contact the municipal officials on 031 311 3086 for assistance.