
In April, the CPF went on the offensive by enlisting the services of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit, to force property owners from where these activities take place to clean up their acts or lose their properties.
According to a State advocate for the asset forfeiture unit, John Wilson, in terms of section 51 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, the National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP) may apply to a judge in chambers or a magistrate for an order notifying a person having an interest control over property, where there are reasonable grounds to believe that such property is an instrument of an offence
Notification letters authorised by both the NPA and the police, were served on nine “problematic” houses in the area, later that month.
Now, according to Ronel Middleton, information officer of the Benoni CPF, since handing over of nine properties to the Assett Forfeiture in Pretoria, two owners have begun eviction procedures through an attorney.
“A further two, she said, have given notice to their tenants who, as expected, have not moved out of the properties, and will, therefore, together with the remaining properties, whose landlords have made no effort, be included in the process of being taken to court by the NPA and face seizure by the state.
Benoni CPF Residential PRO Soula Foord said that although the process is lengthy, due to the NPA needing further documentation on the properties, the process is moving steadily forward and the community will be notified on progress soon.
The CPF has, to this end, In their fight against drugs and prostitution scourge in the area, managed to get 19 landlords to cooperate with them in making legal evictions.