Rumours of intimidation, harassment and a rental boycott have begun to circulate in the communities of Windsor East and West.
The area had a great history and was once a thriving well-situated place to live and start a family. It is now, in some parts, a reflection of abject poverty. Drug dealers and slumlords also make residents fear their surroundings.
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“We are not the hijackers here”
Vermaak represents those saying no to rental boycott
A community initiative, The Windsor Community Recovery Movement (WCRM) aimed at uniting tenants, to fight crime and the high rentals for poorly maintained properties has become the centre of allegations of intimidation, harassment and a rental boycott.
READ: Ward councillor does not condone Windsor Recovery Movement
The movement’s stated aim is to combat the area’s decay but has allegedly taken the law into its own hands.
The movement has gained momentum. Hundreds of tenants have not paid rent for their properties to their landlords, in the hope that rental prices will decrease, police presence will increase and landlords will pay more attention to property maintenance.
READ: What rights do residents have against community movements?
Rental money is, however, paid into a community trust account run by the WCRM – but do tenants know that this is illegal and they could be evicted from their homes?
The Randburg Sun speaks to relevant stakeholders to unravel this ever sensitive saga affecting the community of Windsor.
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