Former depot no longer on SLP list – CoE

Although the vacant municipal depot on Third Avenue was previously identified as a strategic land parcel (SLP), the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) said this is no longer the case.

ALSO READ: Unused depot still a concern for Edenvale Ridge

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said despite the property being identified as an SLP, it was later removed from the list as a portion of the parcel was reserved for the Department of Human Settlements.

This new information came to light after Ward 19 councillor Bill Rundle shed some light on SLPs in Ekurhuleni when he and the NEWS visited the vacant property at the end of February.

During the visit, Rundle said there was a previous proposal to develop the depot, as the new headquarters for the CoE Department of Environment; however, this fell through.

He said the topic of SLPs was raised again in the second half of last year when the real estate department started visiting potential sites for development but told the NEWS he was uncertain what the future held for the vacant depot.

Dlamini said, “Real estate, property management and portfolio advisory services received an application to lease the property for old-age purposes.”

He said the lease application process is underway.

During the visit, Rundle raised concerns over the condition of the vacant depot, the existence of bugweed and the property not being secure.

In response to this, CoE said it will inspect the unused municipal depot on Third Avenue to determine the existence of invasive fauna.

Additionally, the city has already inspected the depot’s damaged perimeter fence.

Formerly occupied by the parks department, Dlamini said the facility was used for nursery activities.

He said the city’s parks department vacated the property in 2000.

“There was an attempt by the council to permanently dispose of the property through direct negotiation with the purchaser; however, there were matters of disagreement in the draft deed of sale between council and the purchaser,” said Dlamini.

He said the disagreement became a legal matter and the purchase was cancelled.

Dlamini said the matter took several years to finalise.

“Applications received by the department to lease the property at the time could not be entertained until the legal matter was concluded,” said Dlamini.

Over the years, the property has become an eyesore and a concern for the community of Edenvale Ridge.

One of the complaints Rundle had received from community members was the number of rats coming from the property.

Additionally, during the NEWS’ and Rundle’s visit, the property was thick with overgrown vegetation.

When asked how often the property is maintained, Dlamini said since the establishment of the Facilities

Management Soft Services Section, the section provides regular maintenance.

He added the parks department was requested to investigate the existence of the invasive plant, saying the findings will determine the way forward in dealing with the plants.

To secure the property, Dlamini said security officers are employed to watch over the property day and night.

He said the facility has one security officer per shift.

“Edenvale Customer Care area office, with the CoE security services division, agreed to temporarily reallocate the security guards to another property of council that has been recently invaded by homeless people,” said Dlamini.

“This is a temporary measure that started on February 22 that will continue until the invaded property is repaired and leased out.’’

Dlamini said Edenvale’s Customer Care area office and CoE’s security services division are aware of the security risks the Third Avenue property is exposed to.

“Edenvale Property Management Office is working around the clock to have both properties secured,” emphasised Dlamini.

He said the damaged perimeter fence was inspected on March 3 and a work order requesting repairs to the fence will be sent to the Real Estate – Facilities Management Division soonest.

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