Abandoned homes in Empangeni pose threats
The number of abandoned properties in the area continues to increase, while the shells of what used to be family homes pose safety and security threats to surrounding residents
USED condoms, faeces and drugs are the traces of activity left behind in abandoned houses in Empangeni, which now function as criminal hideouts.
The number of abandoned properties in the area continues to increase, while the shells of what used to be family homes pose safety and security threats to surrounding residents.
According to an Empangeni Community Forum (CPF) count, Noordsig has two abandoned houses, Kildare three, Grantham Park four and Richem at least five.
In total, about 20 houses are abandoned and dilapidated.
Last Thursday the ZO, along with the CPF, visited two of the houses in Cactus Drive and Farewell Street.
Surrounded by darkness, one is guided to the entrance of the houses by the lingering stench of urine and greeted at the front door by fresh, dirty footprints – indicating that someone has been occupying the house recently.
Both of the three-bedroom houses, in which some doors still carry the names of children who grew up there, have been stripped of piping and kitchen cupboards. The backyards are littered with trash.
Walking down the passages one has to be careful not to step on rotten food, alcohol bottles, whoonga sachets and human faeces on the floor.
The broken toilets are full of faeces and rubbish is accumulated in the showers and bathtubs.
In one of the garages, used condoms, firewood and what is believed to have been a stolen wallet were found, while in another house, two makeshift cardboard beds and clothing were found. One of the outside bins carried freshly disposed diapers.
CPF Chairperson, Zonita Grobbelaar, said residents who lived close by to the abandoned houses often complain about activity at night.
‘Our members often inspect these properties to chase away the people who are illegally occupying these houses and who are suspected of being involved with crime in the area.
‘We risk our own lives because we do not know what or who we will find when we go into the homes. The majority have evidence of drugs,’ Grobbelaar says.
‘Neighbours are usually bound indoors of their own homes because they are scared of stepping out. We also suspect that criminals breaking into houses in Empangeni could be staying in these houses.’
‘Some properties are tied up in estates, while some homeowners said they do not have money to repair the extensive damage to their homes.’.
Empangeni councillor Louis Fourie said the issue of safety could only be addressed by the police.
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