Illegal communes feeding off desperate studens
AUCKLAND PARK — Students desperate for accommodation often fall victim to non-registered service providers looking for a quick buck.
Several areas around universities have been mushrooming with illegal communes that are run down and unsecure.
Head of accredited off-campus accommodation at UJ Basil Mugwena said the process of approving off-campus communes takes less than five months, depending on the number of applicants.
When a commune is accredited, the service provider has to undergo regular spot checks at the accredited properties.
“The university reserves the right to make unannounced visits to the accredited sites for spot checks at times – this comes after complaints from students.”
Mugwena said each service provider that applies at the university’s off-campus accommodation unit will immediately be considered as a possible service provider. Service providers need to comply with the City’s commune policies and requirements, which include having a land use consent in order to operate a commune.
“A list of all the accredited properties get published on UJ’s website to help students identify such properties as the one accredited. It is advisable for any students who notice irregularities to report it to the off-campus offices: 011 559 4246.”
No matter how desperate the students might be, he/she must verify the accreditation status of a particular establishment before committing to any service provider. “It is a well-known fact that slum lording is rampant in the City and due consideration must be taken to ensure that no student is exposed to any place of possible harm,” Mugwena concluded.
