Derelict home poses health and security concern

A DERELICT house on the Berea, which has long been a haven for criminals continues to pose a security and health concern for neighbours who feel they have nobody to turn to.

According to Kareeshma Gayaparsad, the Body Corporate chairperson of Strelitzia, she and the residents of her complex have been living a nightmare for years because of the derelict house next door on Botanic Gardens Road. “The property has been vacant for years and was a haven for vagrants and criminals, which made our homes which border it easy targets for robberies and break-ins. A few years ago, before I moved in, there was even an incident where a body of a vagrant was found decomposing on the property!” she said.

A resident at Strelitzia, Mbali Dlamini, said having the “vacant house” next door had resulted in clothes being stolen off her washing line, and reported break-ins when it was occupied by vagrants and criminals. “Presently we have to deal with having an occupant who is constantly making a noise at all hours of the day and night,” the fed up resident added.

While months of calls and emails to various municipal departments, including Metro Police, remain fruitless, Gayaparsad did manage to track down the owner of the house, in December 2015. “When I contacted him, he advised that he hired a guy to stay inside the property to guard it, so nobody could enter the property but the guy seems to have some type of mental illness as he is constantly banging the walls and windows of the house throughout the day and night. I informed the owner about this as he is a police officer from Mandini, he told me that he suspects that the guy was on drugs but has done nothing about him or the unkempt yard which is invaded by rats, snakes, lizards and other pests that come into our property,” she said.

According to Gayaparsad, residents are at the end of their tether. “This house is not only a health hazard but a safety and security threat and we also have to deal with noise pollution. Everyone has literally had sleepless nights because of this house. It is unfair and when we call the police they cannot get in, so nothing is done. I believe the owner should be held accountable,” she said.

Councillor Martin Meyer, said it was important for property owners to realise they had a responsibility towards the community their properties are in. “Once you own a property you are legally and morally bound to take care of that property within reason. This property is clearly violating this social contract. Even though it is in Ward 28, I will engage with Metro Police, Parks and the Health department to ask for an urgent investigation and action on this property.

“I will furthermore ask the building inspectorate to investigate and to add the property to the bad building list for legal action if it is not already on the list,” Meyer said.