Controversial ‘sex house’ demolished in Tzaneen
The town of Tzaneen recently made a big change by demolishing the infamous ‘sex house’ that had been a source of controversy for years.
TZANEEN – Tzaneen’s infamous ‘sex house’ demolished by Greater Tzaneen Municipality amid controversy and community outcry over alleged sex trade and drug activity.
The controversial ‘sex house’ situated next to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) office on the corner of Agatha and Pienaar streets, is no more.
This is after a bulldozer believed to belong to the GTM demolished the house on Tuesday morning. The notorious house has infuriated many residents and business owners as it was believed to be used by sex workers and drug traders.
The Herald has reported on the property on several occasions trying to establish ownership. It was rumoured to belong to the GTM.
However, the GTM said the Department of Public Works owned the property.
The old and dilapidated filthy house was an eyesore and people working in the vicinity reported coming across condoms, needles, empty beer bottles and other drug-related items when arriving at work in the mornings.
The Herald visited the house in January and reported on the provocative graffiti on the walls. The words, ‘come come mpeteng’, translating to ‘come come to bed’, and ‘sex for R100’ were inscribed on the walls.
Also read: Secret of ‘sex house’ owner in Tzaneen unveiled
In recent months a young man occupied the house. He attempted to run a spaza shop and a car wash business from it. On a previous occasion, the Herald contacted the former spokesperson of the department, Witness Tiva, who confirmed the property belonged to the national Department of Public Works, not the provincial department.
On Tuesday, Muhammed Pillay, who stays in one of the nearby townhouses, told the Herald that he is relieved because they will now be safer.
“At night it was noisy, and people were drinking alcohol. We also believe that the occupants jumped the fence and stole our washing from our balcony,” he said.
An employee in the offices situated across the road, said apart from sex workers using the house, homeless people used it as a refuge.
“We did not feel safe and didn’t understand why the police and the municipality were not doing something to clean it up. Lately washing had been hanging on the fence right in the street. At times smoke came from the veranda.”
Also read: Dispute over ownership of ‘sex worker house’ in Tzaneen
Another person in the vicinity told the Herald they believed that a recent spate of break-ins at their offices were attributed to the dwellers in the house.
Meanwhile, Ward 15 Clr Chrizelle Dreyer said she is happy that the house is no more because community members felt unsafe even walking past it.
“Businesses and tenants next to the house have been complaining about the area not being safe. I believe that the demolition will make the area safer, it was a breeding ground for criminality,” she said.
The Herald contacted the national Department of Public Works to for more information on the demolition.
At the time of print, no comment was received.
