Still nothing done about Toti abandoned house

CONCERNS are growing about the state of a house in Amanzimtoti that has been abandoned for nine years and is endangering the safety of the neighbours. The house at 60 Cato Crescent is owned by Emmanuel Mcambi who now works and lives somewhere else.

Since the SUN’s last published article about its state – Abandoned house in Toti attracts criminals – January 27 – the chairperson of the Toti Berea Community Police Sub-Forum, Gary Kelly, said promises have been made to do something about the house, but nothing has transpired. Criminals have plundered the house, making off with anything that can be carried, including furniture, copper pipes, window frames, and doors. There is a termite infestation, which could lead the structure to collapse.

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After a number of back-and-forth emails with the officials, and at his wits’ end, Kelly sent a direct email to Mxolisi Kaunda, the mayor of eThekwini, on March 6. In the letter, Kelly told the mayor that he has video footage to prove that the house has become a safety hazard for the community as drug dealers have been using it to sell their merchandise.

“As Toti Berea Community Police Sub-Forum chairperson, I have requested that the various departments liaise with either myself or residents of Cato Crescent to come to an amicable solution, but this also has been either ignored or to be of no importance. Failure to act in this matter may result in residents taking matters into their own hands, which could either lead to serious injury or worse. Therefore, the Toti Berea CPF and the residents request that this matter be resolved soonest to avoid any potential harm to either the Cato Crescent residents or other uninvited occupants,” he wrote.

At the time of going to press, Kelly said there had been no response or acknowledgement of the email by the mayor.

When the SUN contacted Mcambi in January, he said he was not aware of the terrible state the house was in. At the time, the perimeter fence had collapsed after the rains, providing easy access to the property. He confirmed ownership of the house but declined to answer more questions and asked not to be contacted again.

Ironically, eThekwini made an announcement on March 14, urging the public to report incidents of invasions of land and private properties. When the SUN phoned one of the numbers provided and explained the situation to the official whose name is known to the SUN, she said it was SAPS’s responsibility to deal with the matter.
“The police should get in touch with our housing department so that the matter can be dealt with,” said the official.

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