Old O’Hagans building may be restored
The Old O'Hagans building in Zig Zag Road may have new tenants in about six months.
Ward councillor of the area, Shadow Shabangu, says council received tenders from about 10 people who are interested in renting the building.
Residents have been complaining for months that the property has become a hot spot for many uncivilised activities.
The building has been empty for a number of years, drawing the attention of prostitutes and vagrants.
Shabangu confirms prostitutes frequent the area and that council is planning to lease the building.
“The closure of the business was a decision made by the previous owner, they had an option to renew the contract with council, but chose not to,” he says.
He adds police are aware of the situation and they have been monitoring the area during the day.
Reports of squatters living behind the building have surfaced and Shabangu says the metro removes them on regular basis.
“The SAPS must remove the prostitutes or arrest them,” he says.
“Residents should call the Ekurhuleni Metro Police or SAPS should they come across activities on this site with regards to prostitution.”
Amanda Greybe from the Springs SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit says police are aware of the prostitutes and squatters on the property.
“Regular patrols are conducted in the area and vagrants are chased away, but they return again,” she says.
She says if there is criminal activity, the police can then react, but they cannot evict the squatters as this is the responsibility of the owners.
“We are definitely doing crime prevention in the area, but it is not possible to have eyes on the property 24/7 as we have to cover a large area,” she says.
Police urge the community to notify them immediately if they see any illegal activities taking place on the property.
“The public are our eyes and we need them to help with crime prevention if they suspect wrong-doing,” Greybe says.
