According to a police report, ever since the occupants of the building were kicked out of the building more than a year ago, crime has increased in the area, especially robberies.
Station commander for the Boksburg SAPS, Biggs Govender, admitted that since the eviction of the occupants of the building, the property has become a cause for concern.
Nearby residents often complain to the police of criminal behaviour associated with the proximity of the abandoned building, adding that it is encouraging criminal activities and provides a criminal hideout.
Vandals, vagrants and criminal elements find the abandoned building useful as bases for their nefarious activities.
A recent victim of rape and robbery at knifepoint was at this abandoned building.
The victim told the police that the man dragged her into the derelict building.
Rui de Sousa, manager of the Masonic Hotel, which is situated opposite the building, is among the dozens of residents throughout the town who wants to see the building demolished.
De Sousa claims that those staying in the dilapidated building are terrorising his customers and people walking along the street at night.
“I have already closed down two of my bars. People are no longer coming here, because they are scared of being victims of crime,” De Sousa says.
De Sousa urges the metro to rent out the building or demolish it to avoid its being used as a criminal hideout.
“It’s a haven for people to smoke dagga, drink alcohol and engage in other unpleasant activities, because they go unnoticed,” he adds.
During the eviction of the occupants of the building last year, former spokesperson for the metro, Zweli Dlamini, said that the municipality’s plan was to raze the building to the ground so that it could not be reoccupied.
However, to date, nothing has been done.
Criminals have already done half of the job by removing the window and door frames from the building, and apparently sold them to nearby scrap yards.
In April last year, Sam Modiba, current metro spokesperson, issued a statement to the Advertiser, saying that this building will be put to use.
He added that a team of consultants, appointed by council, was at the time, doing a study to determine the best use of all metro-owned buildings in Ekurhuleni.
Modiba mentioned that the metro was still in the process of looking at options, such as demolishing the building or converting it into possible offices.
Not one of these options has, thus far, come into fruition.
This building is among dozens of neglected structures in the city.
This includes the abandoned buildings at the Boksburg East Railway Station.
A fire destroyed most of the building’s roof at the railway station a while ago, leading to the loss of life.
A street vendor who operates next to the building told the Advertiser that the building provides a suitable hideout for criminals who target people who walk past the area at night.
She also alleges that she has witnessed drug peddling taking place.
