Illegal lodge poses security risk
BROADACRES - A property on Lombardy Road, Broadacres is functioning as an illegal lodge with numerous environmental health and security issues.
Ward councillor for Ward 96, Matome Mafokwane conducted an inspection of the property with a Fourways Review journalist. Mafokwane explained that Broadacres had developed considerably in the past few years and the property seemed to be a throwback from when the area was still classified as agricultural holdings.
The property is split into a number of living quarters, including the main house. Lodgers who wished to remain anonymous told Mafokwane that, on average, two people lived in each unit and there were 21 units in total. One of the lodgers informed Mafokwane that she and her husband were from Zambia and had moved into their apartment, which is the converted living room of the main house, three months ago. The lodger said they paid R1 700 per month as rent, but were unaware of who they paid the money to, as her husband handled their finances and was not at home during the inspection.
Mafokwane said the main issue with the lodge was that the owner had not applied for business rights for the property, which meant that running a lodge was illegal use of the land. He explained that applying for business rights meant an assessment of the sewerage, electricity and water capacity of the property which had not been conducted.
Furthermore residents have taken to dumping and burning refuse on the property due to lack of proper refuse disposal facilities. Mafokwane mentioned that the overgrown grass and foliage on the property could pose environmental health issues and security threats to the surrounding properties and lodgers.
“I don’t feel safe here,” said another lodger. “We pay rent every month. I wish they would just clean up and cut the grass here.”
Mafokwane said he had been given the name of a man who was allegedly the owner of the property, but when he called to explain the situation, the man disconnected the call and soon after the number was also disconnected. Mafokwane said he would call in the City of Joburg to investigate the matter further. “We are dealing with human life in this situation so we have to take that into account when solving this problem,” he said.
