THERE is still no resolution for residents of Kiaat Place who have fought for more than a year to get the municipality to act over an abandoned house which they say is a safety and health hazard.
The owner of the abandoned house has taken no action to clear away the rubble or the overgrown grass which has become a haven for rats and snakes, despite being issued a notice in terms of the National Buildings Regulations Act.
Anita de Kock, one of the neighbours who has contacted the owner several times said he was given until 6 February to clear-up.
“The municipality showed up on the agreed day and cleared away the bush outside the house and the creepers which were on a leaning electric pole. The owner was absent again. No action has been taken to remove the rubble on site, nor remove stagnant water in the pool, where mosquitoes are breeding by the thousands. This is just unacceptable,” she said.
Stuart Harris, another neighbour said the deterioration of the property has made it unsafe for his family to be in close proximity.
“We are just asking for a few cosmetic changes that won’t cost a lot of money. We can’t live like this and I will not give up this fight. If I were to put my property on the market, nobody would buy it. The site next door is devaluing the houses on the road,” Harris said.
A municipal official who did not want to be named responded to the residents in an email response saying he had tried to assist.
“This case has proved very hard to resolve as the premises are locked. How does one appoint a private contractor to do a clean-up when the place is locked? Remember it is private property and we do not have the same laws down here as they have in Johannesburg,” he said.
Dean Macpherson, lambasted the municipality for their lack of action. “Once again the residents have been let down by the municipality and the question remains who is held accountable?
“The residents are not being unreasonable. They are asking the owner of the abandoned house for a few changes for health and safety reasons” he said.
