There was jubilation as the house, at 2 Durham Street, was being demolished on Friday, February 14.
Resident Pouli de Roland-Phillips, who was active in having the house broken down, was joyful.
“Ten years of a hell hole is finally over,” she said.
Another excited resident, Debbie Dos Reis, thanked Ward 28’s Clr Mary Goby for her efforts in having the property demolished.
Verena Metzer, who lives next door to the property, was over the moon with the latest developments.
“It’s been an eyesore for so long; I’m so relieved and I believe the value of neighbouring properties will now go up and there will be less crime,” she said.
“Well done to Clr Goby, although there was too much red tape, she finally managed.”
Goby was equally happy.
“Ten years later residents finally got what they want,” she said.
Following a lengthy, vigorous fight from the residents and the councillor, the South Gauteng High Court granted the metro authority to bulldoze the property that has been an eyesore for many years.
The order authorised the metro to take what steps may be necessary to clear the premises of accumulated filth, debris, rubbish, glass, paper, rags, tins, lumber, weeds and long grass, and to remove these, together with any other unsanitary items, from the property.
The abandoned house, opposite two primary schools, burnt down almost 10 years ago and has been used as a brothel, drug den and toilet by vagrants and the taxi drivers delivering children to the schools.
Goby said that the next dilapidated house to be bulldozed is at 150 Elston Avenue.
