The Ekurhuleni metro’s legal department has instituted proceedings against the owner of a dilapidated house which adds to the dreadful blight of Boksburg North.
This came after concerned residents complained that the property in Sixth Street had become a threat to public health and safety, recommending that the metro compel the owner to transform it to at least meet the minimum legal standards.
READ STORY: Neighbours fed up with rat-infested ‘problem house‘ in Boksburg North
The house is in such poor repair that the Advertiser couldn’t even enter certain parts of the building because it is too dangerous, with the roofing and the wall falling apart.
Although there is running water, the property has no electricity and there is apparently a lack of sanitation, such as toilet facilities.
The property, which accommodates about 20 people, is filled with trash and infested with vermin, causing neighbouring residents’ lives to become unbearable.
Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the municipality instituted legal proceedings after making several attempts to get voluntary compliance from the property owner.
He said such efforts were made after the municipality received complaints about the house, which was deemed a public nuisance after being occupied by homeless people from the area.
“Routine investigations were conducted. Multiple statutory compliance notices were sent to the owner, with no satisfactory outcome,” Gadebe said.
“The notices were sent to the owner via registered mail but no response was received. No further contact details were available on the municipal records.
“The matter was then referred to the legal department for prosecution. A private law firm has been appointed and the matter is ongoing.”
When asked what will happen to the group of homeless people who are occupying the house, Gadebe said the housing department has indicated its possible involvement, once the verdict is received on the legal proceedings.
The abandoned house has also been associated with illegal drug activity and prostitution.
Themba said the metro would escalate this aspect of the matter to the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department for investigation.
When pressed on the increasing number of dilapidated and allegedly illegally occupied houses which have been turned into rental units in Boksburg North, Gadebe said various departments in the metro, including development planning, environmental health, fire, electricity and building control, have recently carried out a joint inspection in the area.
He did not, however, reveal the outcome of the operation or the number of houses that failed building inspections. -@FanieFLK
