VEREENIGING. – Tenants were recently forced to close businesses in Union Street after contractors installing sewerage and water pipes left a big hole in front of stores unguarded for months.
For the past seven months, the shops have been closed as the hole allegedly kept customers away. It seems that the tenants are not the only ones who have suffered as the landlord, Goolam Choonara also complained that he is becoming bankrupt. ‘I am behind by more than R40 000 on rates and taxes,’ said Choonara.
Choonara added that the number of students renting has dropped dramatically. Students apparently complain of an unhygienic smell coming from the burst pipes. Choonara claimed several fruitless meetings have been held between the main contractor, Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and the landlord.
When approached for comment Karin Louw, manager for Bovu Pumps, said before they resumed with the construction, they invited all the landlords to make them aware. She said they even signed a memorandum of understanding between ELM and the landlords. When asked how long the project would take, she said it depended on the kind of job conducted on the site,
