Failure by the Department of Public Works to act with immediacy on its long-unoccupied property in Constantia Kloof has resulted in it being stripped bare by criminals.
On 7 March, the Constantia Kloof Village Residents Association chairperson, Karen Poole woke up to reports that the property at 37 Duiker Street North had been broken into.
“A resident contacted me to advise that the security gate of the sliding door at the Public Works owed house at 37 Duiker Street North was open. We deployed our security spotter and the local security provider vehicle to the house and found that the house had been broken into and totally stripped! Even the kitchen sink had been stolen,” Karen explained.
She speculated that everything that had been stolen, including the electrical wiring, would be sold for scrap.
Karen has been hitting a brick wall for several months trying to get Public Works to take responsibility for this property, and another at 968 Bushbuck Avenue.
“I am at my wits’ end to resolve this long-outstanding issue. I cannot understand why the government is hanging onto houses where there is no value and are costing the country money.
“There are countless people who are interested in purchasing both properties; however, both properties have large outstanding City of Johannesburg bills,” she cited the challenge.
She further lamented that these properties are an eyesore in the community, which they aren’t able to resolve.
The Department of Public Works has been approached for comment once again.
This is a developing story.
