Angry residents want Durban North brothel closed
Residents are calling for the 'guest house' to be closed to prevent another Siam Lee tragedy.
THE alleged brothel at the centre of the Siam Lee murder case was the subject of a community meeting in Durban North on Thursday night. Angry residents gathered at the Northlands Bowling Club to discuss a way to shut down the establishment on Margaret Maytom where police confirmed Lee worked.
At the time of her disappearance, the address of her workplace was given as her last known location. The 20-year-old’s burnt body was discovered less than a week after she was reported missing at the Durban North SAPS. The former Crawford Collage North Coast learner’s body was found near a farm in New Hanover in the KZN Midlands.
Several residents on Thursday night asked why police had not shut down the establishment which operates as a ‘guesthouse’.
“We want it shut down to prevent another tragedy. This cannot go on, if we don’t do something now there will be another Siam Lee tragedy. The week of Siam’s disappearance we saw cars going in and out of the property, however since her body was discovered it has been dead quiet. We are afraid the illegal operations may start up again. As a community we say no more,” said one of the Margaret Maytom residents present at the meeting.
Read also: WATCH: Siam Lee murder PI speaks out on arrest
According to Haden Searles, chairman of the Durban North/Umhlanga CPF, the home had been the subject of a police disruption raid on more than one occasion.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said he understood the frustrations of the residents.
“I am aware that there are community members who are frustrated with the fact that this operation was not closed down sooner and I think that they are absolutely justified in their feelings of anger. I have made use of every option available to me, by consulting with the local CPF, Durban North SAPS, and officials from both National Security and the National Prosecuting Authority. Any information that has been brought to my attention has been handed over to the relevant authorities for their action,” Ryley said.
On Wednesday evening, police arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the Siam Lee case in Hillcrest.
A Mercedes Benz Vito and an unlicensed firearm were seized at his house.
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