Abandoned property on Aitken Road becomes a hazard
Pieces of palisade fencing and wooden pallets have been shored up against the perimeter wall to discourage entry, and wiring from an electric fence hangs slack.
An abandoned property on Aitken Road has been described as a health and fire hazard to the community.
Ward 19 Clr Alderman Bill Rundle identified the property on the corner of Aitken Road and Van Riebeeck Avenue.
On the property, vegetation, including bug weed and khakibos, has reclaimed the land surrounding the lone and seemingly half-constructed building.
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Pieces of palisade fencing and wooden pallets have been shored up against the perimeter wall to discourage entry, and wiring from an electric fence hangs slack.
“The property owner thumbs his nose at the CoE, which has done nothing about the situation and provided no updates.
“It is a health hazard, a fire risk and is extremely unsightly, which affects the value of properties in its vicinity.”
According to Rundle, the CoE had traced the property’s owner, but its condition has not changed. He said the property’s condition was a longstanding issue.
“The property has been like this for as long as I can remember.”
Now in his third term as a ward councillor, Rundle said the property’s condition has remained the same since his first term.
“It has been like this for years.”
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With the amount of overgrown and dry vegetation on the property, Rundle said it is susceptible to catching alight.
“When this property catches fire, and it has several times in the past, neighbouring property owners and residents spray water over the wall with their hosepipes to dampen the vegetation and prevent the fire from spreading,” said Rundle.
He said municipal representatives had visited the property and become involved, but the matter remains unresolved.
“This property should have been confiscated and sold off. It’s in a terrible condition and is a fire and health hazard,” said Rundle.
Rundle said the property is a health hazard because of vermin.
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He said that besides the vegetation being a fire hazard, the wind would spread the khakibos and bug weed seeds across Edenvale.
A request for comment, asking if the municipality had traced the property’s owner, what repercussions the owner faces and why the property was allowed to exist in its current condition, was sent to the CoE on August 7, requesting comment by August 8 at 11:30.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
