An abandoned property along Bryanston Drive has left residents feeling anxious and law enforcement at a crossroads.
The property, located just after the Bryanston Drive bridge, has become home to a number of displaced people. According to a resident in the area who wished to remain anonymous, it appears as if a new tent is pitched on the property every week. “I am very irritated and amazed and even more worried. Under the lockdown regulations, such situations should not arise and the authorities should nip such things in the bud,” said the resident.
According to Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp, the property had become quite a ‘hot topic’ at the moment. Residents have also raised concerns about the possible violations of health and safety regulations on the property. Earp noted that there have been allegations of people dealing in alcohol and marijuana on the property. He said the property was recently raided by a task team made up of officers of the Sandton Police Station and a number of private security organisations. “The issue is long outstanding and has not been resolved by both the owner and the City,” he added.
Karl Meissner-Roloff, a member of the Bryanston River Club Community Forum, said the community had been fighting a long term battle regarding the property for quite some time now as it was quite a complicated situation with many lives dependent on a proper solution.
“We are ultimately looking for a solution to the problem and not just something to get the guys off of the property and be done with it. We are trying to come up with a solution that is fair to all of the parties,” he said.
While police can only come onto the property when there were incidents of criminality, the City of Johannesburg’s Group Forensics and Investigative Services team noted that the issues on the property had been reported to them and were under investigation.
The team could not provide information on the owner of the property at this time. The team often works with the Metro police to recover illegally occupied properties and Metro police spokesperson Captain Wayne Minnaar said because this was a private property, the situation was more complicated as jurisdiction stated that ‘the owner must be held liable’.
Meissner-Roloff added that the forum was in contact with a number of organisations to find a plausible solution. “I think we all want these guys to be housed properly in a safe environment because the current conditions are absolutely terrible.”
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/278601/local-resident-provides-aid-to-those-in-need/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/278753/rotary-morningside-provides-support-to-outreach-centre/
