Body found in overgrown property

THE discovery of the body of a man founding hanging from a tree on a piece of ground adjacent to Piedmont Gardens has caused a stir amongst residents who say they now fear for their safety and are calling on the land owner to clear the bush on the property.

According to one resident, police who attended the scene said the body had been there for two to three weeks before it was discovered. “The bush is so overgrown that squatters have moved in. We have had many break-ins and our domestic staff as well as one of the young girls living in the complex have been robbed while walking along the road. Our security guards have to escort them out now. At 1am recently we had to move a pole lying across the road as someone had stolen the cable and pulled it down,” said the resident.

Other residents who spoke to Berea Mail, said the land was owned by a Mr Mansoor who had informed them that he is in the process of developing the property.

“Mr Mansoor came to the property when the man’s body was found. We spoke to him about doing something. He said he didn’t care that there are people squatting on the property, and it was not his problem things were happening. He has owned this land for over 20 years but has done nothing about it. I thought the municipality had the right to take over land after 10 years if no development has taken place,” he said.

“For years now Mr Mansoor has said he was in the process of development. We bought houses at Piedmont Gardens because we thought the vacant land would be developed into a shopping centre or something. These are not indigenous trees, they must be cut down and cleared,” said another resident.

Councillor Halalisani Ndlovu said he had been working hard on improving the area. “For four years the lights in Piedmont Road were off and I helped to get them back on, however thieves are stealing the copper wiring, which has become a huge problem. The owner of the land could be less bothered. I feel he needs to fence off the property as squatters are coming in their hoards. People are being robbed. This is a serious hazard for residents,” he said.

Property owner, Mohamed Mansoor said the squatters (around 15) had been on the land for some time and there were ways and means of going about removing them.

“My powers are limited by government as to what I can do. I am getting legal opinion on this as it is a long process and we are still in consultation. The crime-related problems can happen anywhere and to tell me, the owner, that I am responsible is not right. What do we have SAPS for? I feel for the residents but also feel for myself, we are all prisoners in our homes,” he said.

Mansoor said he had been in negotiation with developers for the past three months, and a proposal had submitted for the development of the land.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests to develop the land, but it’s all about timing. I have owned the land for 25 years. The zoning is office park, but through various meetings with council, we have decided mixed use such as a small mall to service people living around the area and apartments would be best. I might go strictly residential,” he said.