Neighbours are calling for the demolition of a derelict house in Ballito, that has grown to be a vandalism hotspot and home to vagrants.
The house at 68 Kudu Road, overlooking the popular Willard Beach, has been abandoned for more than a decade.
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According to disgruntled neighbours who suspect it is being used as a drug den, the house and 1 056 sq m property was bought by a couple in 2003 who spent an extravagant amount of money renovating what was planned to be their dream home – only to never move in after a dispute with the builder.
The bad fortune continued after the property was damaged by high seas in 2007.
While the owner of the house lives in Johannesburg, neighbours in Ballito have had enough of the eyesore and exposure to criminals.
They are calling on KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) to demolish the structure. Neighbour Peter Sanders said the property has deteriorated over the years and is near collapsing, posing a danger to the public.
“It is structurally unsound and due to the non-existence of essential support columns, is likely to collapse in the near future. By virtue of the compromise to its structural integrity, this is a highly dangerous building.
“Yet it remains easily accessible to the general public, at times there are children sitting on the roof. I find it unacceptable that the local authorities appear to have done nothing to remedy this health hazard.”
Another neighbour, Vanessa Ashby, said while the police used to chase away vagrants from the property, they no longer patrol or inspect the house.
“The only way in which we get a response is when we contact the security companies. The place is vandalised and it smells. No one is happy with the property and we have put up with it for too long.”
The owner of the house has been unreachable and has not returned the Courier’s calls. KDM media liaison officer Sipho Mkhize said the municipality’s building control department has responded to the complaint and will be appointing an inspector to investigate.
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“Normally, when such complaints are received the building control section is granted time to do their own assessments and investigations prior to deciding what would be in the best interest of council.
“Therefore, until the necessary assessments and investigation have been done it would be premature to say what the municipality shall do.”
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