A long wait for title deeds in Isipingo

In Lotus Park, Zinnia Court residents say they are tired of promises made over the years and the neglect of its upkeep. The block of flats is owned by eThekwini Municipality.

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Residents who spoke to the SUN said some people have been staying at the flats for almost 50 years as tenants paying rent. They said after 1994 and every other election, they were promised title deeds to their units but that has not happened.

They were reluctant to be identified by name as they feared being identified as ringleaders. Sunil Brijmohan, the former Ward 90 councillor, was shot and killed in Amanzimtoti on October 21, and residents say their fears stem from not knowing who killed Brijmohan and why.

Deshni Naicker* said she has been staying at Zinnia Court since 1979 as a rent-paying tenant. She said every new councillor that is voted in makes promises that end up not being kept.

“Apart from the title deeds that we have been promised for many years, this building is falling apart. A section of the roof was blown away, and water drenches the units every time it rains. The fire hydrants have no water, and I fear what would happen should there be a fire here. All our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said Naicker.

Deven Chetty* agreed, saying crime is also a big issue as the building is not fenced in. “Anyone can get in and out here without any problem. We have had laundry stolen from the lines, units broken into and cars stolen. Besides all that, the municipality, which is our landlord, has done nothing to help us.

The law would never allow us to build a perimeter fence on a property we don’t own,” he said. Another Ward 90 resident Shunmugam Rungasamy Pillay expressed his frustrations on Facebook, saying he suspected that the title deed process was being drawn out to financially benefit certain individuals.

“Title deeds were on the cards, but corrupt individuals have stopped that process so they can milk the flat renovation funds. I think a flat committee that comprises flat dwellers should work towards securing the title deeds,” he said.

Most of the Zinnia Court residents are pensioners and feel that if given the title deeds, it would be easier in their pockets as, on top of the monthly rent, they still have to pay for other services.

Councillor Shad Nowbuth said the process of giving title deeds to residents is underway and the City Council still needs to finalise a few issues.

“There is a total of 940 units that the council is upgrading. The upgrades include converting water metres to prepaid and placing them outside the properties so the meter readers can access them. The buildings themselves will be revamped, and this whole process should be completed in the next two years,” said Nowbuth.

*Not their real names.

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