Ward 98 councillor saddened by property problem
"I feel that a gross injustice has been done. Cosmans [buyer] bought a property with the hopes of a better life for him and his family. He eagerly showed me the documentation, which was all legitimate," said Weweje.
Ward 98 councillor Beverley Weweje has shared her opinion and her experience of the matter between a Windsor East man, who has been denied access to a property he has rightfully purchased, and the occupants who are refusing to move.
“I feel that a gross injustice has been done. Cosmans [buyer] bought a property with the hopes of a better life for him and his family. He eagerly showed me the documentation, which was all legitimate,” said Weweje.
She added that during a routine ward inspection on a Saturday, she was frantically waved down by Countesses Avenue property owner Cosmans Bangi.
Bangi told Weweje his story and invited her to inspect the harsh conditions that he and his family were being subjected to. She said Bangi was staying in the garage of the property he bought, while the allegedly drug-addicted tenants and criminal element residing on the property demanded payment from him.
Weweje added that not only were the conditions of the property’s current state vulgar, but the sad face of a young woman who appeared to be badly beaten and bruised occupied one of the rooms. “We approached the police to lay a charge of property hijacking and were advised that we could only open up a case of trespassing, but that would not deter the tenants or the criminal element. We were advised to approach the courts for an eviction order. This process is a long, expensive and costly exercise. A cost that Cosmans cannot afford.”
Weweje claimed when leaving the property, she was shouted at by a man who was living with the occupants of the house.
“He screamed that I had no right to be on the property, to which I promptly said that I would expose the shenanigans and injustice of the situation. Within 30 minutes of my departure, the [occupants] had placed three vicious dogs at the gates, barring entry or exit into the premises.”
This matter is a civil matter, which is not in my ambit and very little intervention that I can provide as a ward councillor. It has, however, left a sour taste in my mouth that our justice system does not favour the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Read more about the family’s plight here: https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/415300/family-of-eight-forced-to-sleep-in-garage-of-the-property-they-own/
