FOLLOW-UP: Abandoned house irks residents

Tempers are flaring because the residents of Cambridge Street, Farrarmere, are growing increasingly fed up with the deteriorating state of an abandoned house in their midst.

Mystery and speculation have been rife after the owners of number 33 seemingly vacated the property, leaving it to become overgrown and vulnerable to criminal activities shortly before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In June, Ward 28 Clr Mary Goby approached the Benoni City Times to publish an appeal for anyone with information regarding the homeowners to come forward.

At the time, Goby said she had exhausted all her resources to trace the owners.

“Due to municipal service fees being in arrears, the property’s water and electricity supply was subsequently disconnected,” said Goby.

“According to information received from the CoE finance and legal departments, the owner’s contact information is no longer in service, and all other attempts to make contact have proved futile.

“In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), further information regarding the legal property owners and the financial institution which may be the bond-holder, cannot be made available.”

Disrepair
On a visit to the site on February 14, the publication found the doors leading into the house standing open and saw that some windows had been removed.

“The house is just an empty shell because all the piping, electrical fittings, and other fixtures have been removed,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.

“People are sneaking into the property, which puts residents at risk of falling victim to crime.

“It is an eyesore. The owners should be ashamed of themselves for subjecting us to this mess.”

Lifelong resident René van Heerden recalls that the property changed hands at least five times.

“Previous owners invested in the property. Some extended the garage, while others renovated the interior. This house was always beautiful and neat, but now it is left to fall into disrepair,” said Van Heerden.

“Because of the overgrowth, it has become a breeding ground for vermin, not to mention the threat that vagrants may illegally occupy it.”

Stepping over broken glass scattered on the driveway, she continued, saying some residents took it upon themselves to clear the sidewalk.

“The property is disgusting. Some people have even gone as far as chucking uncollected rubbish bags over the fence,” she said.

“We are proud residents, and it is unfair that we get subjected to this filth.

“Surely the financial institution that provided financing for this property is also not being paid. Can they not repurpose it and sell it to another prospective buyer?”

A media enquiry was sent to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, querying the municipal by-laws about abandoned properties and the legal mandate for outstanding municipal accounts.

No comment was received at the time of publication.

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