THE issues arising around Excelsior Court were discussed at a meeting of residents, the local councillor and police on Saturday in an effort to find a way forward.
Councillor Chris Pappas hosted the community meeting to discuss the ongoing issues at the building at 97 Peter Mokaba (Ridge) Road, which was attended by around 20 residents from Oakleigh Drive and surrounds.
Also invited to the meeting were Mayville Station Commander Ltn Col Xulu and member of the parliamentary police portfolio committee, Dianne Kohler Barnard (DA).
At the meeting, residents raised their ongoing grievances about the noise, filth, safety and health issues at the police flats.
Pappas said the flats are owned by the Provincial Department of Public Works and are leased to the SAPS as accommodation for their members.
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“The building should have been vacated years ago as more than R40 million had been set aside to upgrade the building. The building was never vacated by SAPS and thus has never been handed back to Public Works,” said Pappas.
Since the meeting, Kohler Barnard has arranged for officials from the Department of Public Works to conduct an oversight visit with the station commander and ward councillor. She has also sent questions to senior SAPS officials about the worsening conditions at the flats.
“She has received an acknowledgement of her questions and is awaiting a response,” said Pappas.
“I am also waiting on a new report from the fire department as well as a report from the building inspector. These will help to expose the conditions that people are living in and that neighbours are forced to put up with. The building has previously been condemned on health and safety related issues,” said Pappas.
Ltn Col Xulu asked residents to report all incidents involving the flats and to provide as much details as possible. He has opened a file on the building and is building a case to assist the residents in their fight.
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