Concerns over abandoned buildings and illegal land use in Elandshaven date back to 2023, when residents and ward councillor Ivan Naidoo first reported the matter to the City of Ekurhuleni.

More than two years later, residents say little has been done to address the growing safety and crime risks in the area.

Joeleen Smit of the Elandshaven Residents Association said the community has repeatedly raised alarms about deteriorating properties and unlawful land use, but their complaints have gone unanswered.

“We would like to formally report multiple illegal structures and illegal land use concerns within the Elandshaven area and request the city’s urgent intervention to help keep the community safe and orderly,” said Smit.

At the centre of the complaints are two abandoned and severely dilapidated houses at 8 and 10 Valsbaai Street.

According to residents, both properties have been stripped bare over time and are now being vandalised almost daily.

The lack of oversight has allegedly allowed homeless individuals to occupy the buildings, raising fears that they could become permanent informal settlements if the city does not intervene.

Lelanie Uys, who lives nearby, said the impact on surrounding homes has been severe.

“We had to upgrade our security system at quite a high cost and install additional lighting. Fires have broken out on numerous occasions, and we had to extinguish them ourselves to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties,” she said.

Residents have also reported rat infestations, overgrown vegetation, drug-related activity and repeated fire hazards linked to the abandoned buildings.

Criminal activity is another major concern

“Safety is a main concern as criminals move in and use the height of these buildings as a viewpoint to scout the area.

“Number 10 was vandalised again recently, with windows smashed at four in the morning, while number 8 is being used as a hideout,” said Willem de Wet.

In addition to Valsbaai Street, the Residents Association has flagged illegal land use at 1 Bonza Bay Street, which Smit said has been converted into a room-to-rent facility with more than 20 occupants.

Residents alleged that a business is operating on the property despite it not being zoned for such use.

An anonymous Bonza Bay resident reported suspicious late-night activity, noisy gatherings and unsanitary behaviour along the pavement, adding to fears of possible drug-related activity.

The resident requested anonymity due to concerns about victimisation.

Taryn, another Bonza Bay resident who works from home due to a medical condition, said ongoing crime has made daily life unbearable.

“I don’t think we have slept through the night in the last two years. Almost weekly, people jump our property fence and things go missing. We’ve reported it, but there has been no feedback,” she said.

Several residents confirmed that the issues have been reported to the city multiple times, with little to no response beyond acknowledgements.

Oom Hans, a property owner in the area, warned that continued inaction would have serious long-term consequences.

“Criminal activity will escalate, fires or structural collapses could endanger lives, and property values across the neighbourhood will continue to decline,” he said.

Smit said the Elandshaven Residents Association is calling on the city to urgently locate property owners, enforce municipal by-laws, secure or demolish abandoned buildings, and address illegal land use before conditions deteriorate further.

“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for enforcement of the law and for the city to protect residents who have been raising these concerns since 2023,” she said.

The Alberton Record has contacted the City of Ekurhuleni for comment and is awaiting a response.