A local homeowner is seeking help from the community to clean up a vacant property she owns which has been attracting criminal activity and complaints from neighbours due to health concerns.
The homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser she is doing the best she can to clean the property up.
This is after one of her neighbours, who also asked to remain anonymous, recently called the Advertiser to raise concerns that the vacant house in Landau Road, Boksburg South, is a health hazard and is attracting criminals.
The house has been standing empty for more than two years.
The neighbour said there have been multiple break-ins, the latest in the early hours of March 3.
According to the homeowner, the family vacated the property about two and a half years ago and since then it has, unfortunately, she said, overwhelmed them.
“I’m a single mom and finances are tight,” she explained.
“Apart from this, my mom recently became ill and she had to be my priority. I was also recently ill and many other factors have prevented me from taking the action necessary on this property.”
The desperate woman said they had recently managed to do quite a bit of work in the house but all their hard work was lost when burglars got in and carried away all kinds of items and fittings.
“We started with repairs inside but I realise now I should perhaps have started outside. I understand why the neighbours are upset but I am appealing for patience and understanding. I cannot get the place cleaned up overnight,” she explained.
“I am not ignoring the problem, I just need time and for the neighbours to support me by contacting me if they see anyone strange on the property. They have my phone number and we talk from time to time, so this would be greatly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, work to clean up the property has started, the homeowner said.
If anyone can assist the homeowner in any charitable way to get the property back to a decent state, they can contact Sabelo Mashego at the Advertiser on 011 916 5300 or at sabelom@caxton.co.za
The Advertiser is awaiting comment from the Ekurhuleni metro on what residents who encounter similar problems with abandoned properties in their neighbourhoods can do and how to report this.
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