Vacant land: Owner responds to residents complaints

THE owner of the abandoned property on Adelaide Tambo Drive (Kensington) has come out guns blazing saying he will not sell the property which residents in the area say has become home to vagrants who now use the land as their sleeping quarters. Tyrone Powell said he gave his telephone number to residents in the area but instead of working with him in a civilized manner, they have chosen to have screaming matches with him on the phone.

“The upkeep of the property is my responsibility but I was told by council I wasn’t doing a good enough job. Now they clean the area and bill me. I still pay my rates for the property and there is no law forcing me to build on it.

“I could leave it to my grandchildren if I wanted. I don’t want to get difficult but the residents must work with me. I’m not a coward and I’m not running away from this situation,” he said.

Powell, who lives in La Lucia added reports about the house being knocked down because of a family claiming sqautters rights were untrue.

“I bought the property for my parents but it was an absolute horror house. It was riddled with wood borer and rats, so I knocked it down to rebuild, but I was told by the agent, the part of the road may be re-zoned from residential to business. I’m a speculator and decided to wait,” he said.

The Forest Drive resident insisted however he had architects drawing up plans for the property.

“The problem is now beyond my control. I have no objections to residents cleaning the property if they want to,” he concluded.

Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley thanked Dave Bradshaw from the municipality’s environmental health unit who has worked tirelessly to resolve the issue surrounding the vacant land.

“These officials do not get the credit they deserve. Dave has also contacted Mr Powell who has assured him that the plot would be cleared and a fence erected to keep out any undesirables. Of paramount importance is the health and safety of the residents,” he said.

Ryley said he is willing to work with the owner and residents in the area to bring about a speedy solution.