Ruby Street Townsview addressed by councillor

TOWNSVIEW – In about March 2012 there was a tour organised by Mr Nathi Mtetwa the then Regional Manager of the City’s Region F. His request to councillors whose wards were being visited was to identify up to five problem properties in our wards. In my case, the Ruby Street problem buildings, and the old farmhouse were on my list.

Again in July 2013, the member of the mayoral committee responsible for service delivery in Region F Clr Roslyn Greef also arranged for selected wards to be visited with a view to reviewing problem properties. Again the Ruby Street houses were on my list and visited.

As readers can see even with these two visits of influential members of City, the issue of problem properties in Ruby Street has not been addressed and with a budget for this year’s legal costs already exhausted and with only R6m for next year’s financial budget for legal fees involving property issues for the whole City, I can’t see anything happening to address the Ruby Street properties soon.

The problem of vagrants living in the valley west of the Ruby Street houses is one that is not easily resolved and is common with many open areas. Where council property is occupied JMPD can act and remove vagrants. If structures are being erected, JMPD must act within 72 hours. Where the site is private property it is the owner’s responsibility to take action against the vagrants. In the case of this valley, most of the land is privately owned.”