A WATERFALL family is living in fear following a number of break-ins in recent months.
The family has lived in the area for 35 years and believes the neglected plot next to their property is the cause of their problems. Ralph Riggien said the five-acre plot used to belong to his family but they sold it two years ago.
“The people who bought it were going to build a business as the property is in the area which is classified as a light industrial area.
“We have paid people to clean it up twice since it was sold as it has been deserted. The place is used for all kinds of things; my wife has caught people being intimate, there are faeces and broken bottles all over and we have also recovered stolen goods that criminals hide in there.
ALSO READ: Residents are fed-up with Lahee Park neglect
Riggien said their house has been broken into 11 times and they have lost hundreds of thousands of Rands worth of goods.
“The latest break-in was last Tuesday. My car battery was stolen and tools which were in the boot. They break in any time of the day and night as they can hide in the bush and the moulds that are on the property to monitor our comings and goings.
He said the issue has been reported to the PR councillor who said he has reported the matter to the officials.
“If we are not being stolen from, we have to deal with the filth or have sleepless nights as they also cut steel from the moulds which are on that property.
“It is unfair that we have to watch over our shoulders when the owner of this property is alive. We need to know what his intentions are with this place,” said Riggien.
ALSO READ: Waterfall residents say no to new cell tower
Ward 9 PR councillor, Tex Collins said he has been to the area and checked the property.
“The property has overgrown bush and I have reported the matter to the Environmental Health Department to look at it,” he said.
Owner of the property, Faizel Bhayla, said he bought the land for a particular purpose and his plans for the land have not come to fruition.
“Unfortunately, I have not been in that area to check on it and I was not aware that it is being used by criminals. I will go and check up on it, time permitting, but I cannot say when exactly,” he said.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
