Squatters plunge residents into a living hell

AN abandoned home on Percy Osborn Road has not only become an eyesore, but escalated crime in the leafy suburb and plunged neighbouring residents into a living hell.

A resident who wishes to remain anonymous because of his close proximity to the derelict home said the house has been barren for the last 15 years. “We have complained to the council on numerous occasions but nothing is ever done. The prostitutes from Stamfordhill Road live there along with people who steal cables and store it in the house.

“The owner of the property has a don’t-care attitude, because nothing is done to remove these people from the house. The burglaries have escalated and the house is free to a number of bad elements who abuse alcohol and drugs. A few months ago a man was murdered on the road after infighting at the house,” he said.

According to the angry neighbour, weekends are the worst as nearby residents are subjected to screaming, shouting and fighting amongst the nearly 40 squatters on the property. “Something needs to be done! We have complained to the health department as there is also a rat infestation that as neighbours we are forced to deal with,” he said.

Janine Caramanus, a resident in a nearby flat agreed that it was high time something was done about the house. “There have been a number of incidents in the past, every month we would have cable theft which cost many residents appliances. I could see the guys chipping at the stolen cables from my flat but police intervened. The problem is that it is also a huge health hazard as there is no running water or sanitation so the people squatting there are living in a completely unhygienic environment,” she said.

Caramanus said she has awoken on many occasions to the shrill sound of prostitutes screaming in the middle of the night either from being beaten or fighting. “Its terrible because they fight a lot. I guess its because of the number of people living there. I remember once when police cleared out the place, there were about 50 people living there. Unfortunately that was a long time ago and nobody seems to do anything about it. The police come when we call if there is an incident but that is it,” she said.

Residents are left little option but to put up with the steady flow of undesirable elements in their neighbourhood. “It’s not right. We pay your rates and taxes and try to keep our place, looking good. I love where I live, the area is convenient and beautiful but this house is really giving us grief,” she said.

Ward 27 councillor, Martin Meyer said vacant and derelict properties were a massive problem all over the city. “This property is on the list of properties that I regularly ask the city to follow up on. Vacant properties is a difficult issue, and the DA will fight for the right for the city to take ownership of such derelict properties as is happening in other cities. I will follow up with SAPS on law enforcement at that property,” he said.

Police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said police would monitor the house and do regular searches to check for any stolen goods being stored on the property.