NEWCASTLE CENTRAL – Empty office spaces have been transformed into makeshift living quarters for approximately 15 families.
Read: [MUST READ] Newcastillian blackmailed over nude selfie
Nearby businesses owners watched with trepidation as Old Mutual building on Scott Street turned into an apartment building.
“I first became aware of the matter when I worked late one night and saw people bringing furniture into the arcade,” said a source.
Since that evening, curtains and household items could be seen on the windowsills of the office floor.
Concerned about the safety aspect of using office space as residential occupancy, the concerned source allegedly contacted the municipality for assistance.
However, no help was forthcoming despite numerous efforts to notify the relevant authorities.
In an attempt to ensure the situation did not escalate, the source contacted the Newcastle Advertiser to intervene.
It has been determined the empty offices in the building were indeed being used for residential purposes.
“In order for an office space to be let for residential use, the owner of the building would first have to have the building rezoned, which was not done in this case,” said an estate agent.
According to law, the landlord would also need to acquire permission from the existing tenants within a 100-metre radius. Objections from tenants would then be referred to Council.
Councillor Matthew Shunmugam, incoming Chairperson of the Portfolio Standing Committee of Development Planning and Human Settlements, confirmed he had heard allegations of people living illegally in the building.
“If tenants are occupying the office space for residential use, they are in violation of the town planning scheme and a prohibition notice will be warranted,” explained Cllr Shunmugam.
Cllr Shunmugan, alerted Strategic Executive Director of Town Planning, Ntseki Khatide, of the situation, on September 5.
“We will send out a team to evaluate the area,” she undertook.
When the Newcastle Advertiser contacted her on September 12, she denied any knowledge of the illegal occupants and could not provide an official comment to the media.
It is speculated that during the municipality’s evaluation, the official was taken to an area of the building, not inhabited by any of the families.
An illegal occupant of the building, claimed he had been living there for approximately two months.
“We pay R1500 to live inside one of the office units.”
Living in the small office space with his wife and daughter, he has equipped his room with electrical appliances and two beds.
“There is a kitchen with a two-plate stove available for the tenants if they don’t have their own,” he said.
He, his family and other tenants use the ablution facilities as a communal toilet and wash room.
The landlord said he knew nothing about illegal occupants in the building, and referred all questions to the building manager.
However, the source who initially sparked the investigation, claimed he had spoken to the landlord about the issue, prior to approaching the media.
Confronted on September 13, the building manager initially refuted claims of any illegal occupants residing in the office spaces.
“It is just empty offices. If there are people living in there, they are not supposed to be there,” he claimed.
When questioned about the access these occupants had beyond a gated barrier to their ‘abode’, the building manager admitted he issued the access code to the tenants to gain entry.
Also read: Police require community’s assistance
He further rebutted claims of being paid rent, but refused to accompany journalists to the floor where the people were resided.
“We are in the process of moving them out,” he stated and became agitated when journalists asked who gave the people permission to live there.
Remains of a fire were evident in the office space and posed a potential fire hazard to the building and its occupants.
Despite the evidence, the building manager refused to acknowledge the risks involved.
“If I keep my braai stand in the house, am I braaing inside? And the stoves, their fire is on the inside.”
While the landlord and building manager tried to evade responsibility, fear that the occupancy will only escalate if not addressed.
“I heard the landlord wanted business owners to move their businesses one floor above the current floor. I am worried they want to move people into those offices spaces as well,” said a source.
Other business owners shared the same sentiments of the brazen attitude displayed by some of the residents.
“Some mornings, you can see them coming down in their gowns and with curlers in their hair.”
Attempts were made to contact the Ward Councillor, Thabisile Mkhwanazi, but proved futile.
