Fed up with neglected properties
The City Times has been contacted by concerned residents who have to live in the vicinity of neglected properties, which are becoming health and safety hazards.
One of the complainants, who lives on Second Avenue, in Northmead, explained that plagues of rats and mice have erupted in their area, due to the state of a property on her street.
“There have been numerous police call outs due to people hiding on this property when there are break-ins in the area,” she added.
She said her written and telephonic complaints to the Ekurhuleni Metro were to no avail and she was told to mind her own business when she spoke to the owner.
“I am ashamed to be a resident of this street, as this is just horrendous,” she said.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Sam Modiba said that no person may create a public health hazard or health nuisance anywhere in the municipal area.
Every owner or occupier of premises must ensure that a public health hazard or health nuisance does not occur on their premises.
Such a hazard may arise when:
- the premises are infested with pests breeding on the premises;
- there are conditions on the premises which are conducive to the spread of a communicable disease, or which may cause a non-communicable disease;
- there is any unsanitary condition on any part of the premises, or
- any water supply for domestic consumption on the premises is unsafe for human consumption.
Modiba advised that if these conditions should be noticed, the public report should be made to the Benoni Environmental Health Office, on the following numbers: Anna Mabukela on 011 999 6453, Pearl Sekgoela on 011 999 6461 or Mack Boshoff on 011 999 3335.
Complaints have also been made about a park in Lakefield, which is reported to be severely littered and attracting rats to the area.
Ward councillor Mary Goby said she had received no response to her approach to Ekurhuleni about the property, and she set up a petition which she submitted on Thursday, September 19.
