‘Concerned Benoni resident’ writes:
Over the past few months, I have noted the deterioration in a block of flats in Rynfield.
Send your letters to bctletters@caxton.co.za
Out of interest, I looked at the City of Ekurhuleni’s website for by-laws to assess what reporting mechanisms/regulations are in place for maintaining private residential and business property standards.
Although, in my personal opinion, the municipality and our local councillor Jacques Meiring do an excellent job of maintaining municipal property standards in streets, parks, etc., and the Ekurhuleni website contains well-documented by-laws, as an average member of the public, I was not able to find by-laws pertaining specifically to the upkeep of private residential/business properties in Ekurhuleni or find an area on the website specifically for reporting deteriorating appearance of private properties.
READ:
LETTER: Woman praises man who helps save animal
LETTER: Help care for cats of all kinds
LETTER: Cat expert needed to answer this question
I, therefore, do not know what steps the municipality can take about the general appearance of private residential or business properties and if members of the public can actually complain to the municipality if they notice that the appearance of a property is deteriorating to such an extent as to diminish the value of properties in a suburb, commercial or industrial area.
I would assume that if a property poses a health hazard that it will be prioritised as this is a different issue altogether.
I do not know if this particular block of flats has become a health hazard, but it has taken on the appearance of a ‘hijacked’ block of flats similar in appearance to the flats and buildings condemned in Hillbrow and Johannesburg central.
The grass on the pavement has not been mowed for months, the building requires maintenance, the windows are not properly dressed, the balconies have become storage areas for junk, etc.
The concern is that if one property is allowed to deteriorate to such an extent without intervention, it will have a knock-on effect on other businesses and residential properties in the area.
Does the municipality routinely patrol and monitor residential properties and investigate if a residential or business property’s appearance has deteriorated to such an extent that it has the potential to bring down the value of surrounding properties?
Editor’s note:
Themba Gadebe, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson, responds:
“The City of Ekurhuleni’s Public Health By-laws, Local Authority Notice No. 1908 of 27 November 2009 regulate the prevention of any public health nuisance in a premises, more specifically Schedule 1(1).
“Officials from the Environmental Health Division are able to investigate any public health nuisance related to the complaint and issue a notice to the owner of the premises should the complaint be found valid.
“The Benoni Environmental Health Division can be contacted directly on 011 999 6453 or email to Anna.Mabukela@ekurhuleni.gov.za
“Investigations are currently underway to identify whether the block of flats is a health hazard or not.
“Once this has been established, a notice will be sent to the owner of the premises to comply with the health-related matters only.
“Officials do monitor the area, however, there may be instances that aren’t visible during the monitoring process.
“As a result, residents are encouraged to continue reporting related issues to the city.”
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
