State owned: A derelict property that has become a home to vagrants is allegedly owned by the government
It is unknown whether the men staying on the property are paying rent or rates and taxes
KIBLER PARK – A property on Rapson Lane, in Kibler Park, reportedly owned by the Department of Public Works, has been left to the mercy of vagrants, who have taken over the entire house.
Broken bath tubs, toilet seats and other clutter are a feature at the front of the house and, inside, the rooms have been partitioned into many units, using filthy bed sheets and cardboard. Different strange men frequent the property, although it is unclear what business it is they have there.
Ward 125’s PR representative, Peter Stewart, confirmed that the house is owned by the state and that he has been attempting to get the owner to take responsibility for it.
“The house used to belong to Transnet Property and was then transferred to Public Works,” he said.
”We are investigating and trying to get to the bottom of this; Public Works say they don’t have records of the house belonging to them, so I have handed it over to Urban Management.”The CHRONICLE approached Century 21 Estate Agent Trevor Sturgess, to find out how abandoned property, belonging to the state, affects communities and property value.
With the minimum property value in Kibler being R900 000, it is understood that the property at number 6 Rapson Lane has affected the value of surrounding properties negatively.
“Poorly kept properties affect the neighbourhood value negatively to a large extent; owners in the street should all sign a petition and have it delivered to the owners,” said Sturgess.
When asked whether a lot of properties owned by Public Works/Government or big companies are unkempt and not well taken care of, Sturgess responded: “Yes, these properties are not maintained properly, as is evident in the other state owned houses in Milner Drive. They look shabby.”
Urban Management deputy director Edward Mohale said: “It is not clear in terms of whom it belongs to. The inspectors told me they would go on June 22 to investigate and that the issue on the house had not been raised with Urban Management. They (inspectors) are going to investigate the matter and compile a report.”
