THE Residents of Peace Avenue in Windermere have reached breaking point after years of living opposite a vacant property that has become an illegal dumping hotspot.

Fed up Ann-Marie Tully said the vacant property has become a major eyesore which is attracting vermin to their homes and is being constantly used as a toilet by homeless people.

“It has become a hazard and ongoing public health risk, yet we are not receiving the help that is required to stop this mess and situation from worsening.”

According to Tully, the property, where a building was demolished several years ago, has remained vacant and unsecured since 2023, allowing illegal dumping to continue unchecked.

She said repeated appeals from concerned residents for help from the property owner, eThekwini Municipality, Environmental Health officials and Ward 27 councillor Ernest Smith have yielded little progress.

“The result is predictable: dumping, rats, human waste and an ongoing public health hazard,” said Tully.

Also Read: Umbilo drowning in waste as illegal dumping hotspots spread

She said the issue extends beyond litter and has become one of accountability. “How can a property be demolished, left unsecured for years, become a dumping ground and public nuisance, and still attract so little meaningful intervention? How many complaints must residents submit before action is taken?” she asked.

Tully said residents are considering raising funds to build a wall around the site themselves to prevent public access and restore safety to the neighbourhood.

“Peace Avenue deserves better. Residents who pay rates, report problems and participate in civic life should not have to live opposite a neglected dumping ground while responsibility is endlessly passed between property owners and public officials,” said Tully.

“I even offered to pay for someone to put up a brick wall but was told that I could not do it as it was someone else’s property. Who is going to take responsibility for this site, and when?” she asked.

Also Read: Illegal dumping crisis in Morningside

Responding to the concerns, Smith said the matter is being investigated by the relevant municipal department and is following the necessary processes and procedures.

Explaining the process, Smith said, “In cases such as this, the departments would issue a notice to the owners/owner representatives of a problematic property which affords the owners/owner representatives an opportunity to respond to the city officials with remedial measures that will be implemented.”

He added that if the owner fails to respond within the prescribed timeframe, the City’s Bad Buildings Unit may declare the premises a bad building.

“Should there not be a response to the city officials within the specified timeframe, the Bad Buildings Unit would declare the premises a bad building site which would allow the City to conduct remedial works to address the complaints. This comes at the cost of the owner via the utility bill,” Smith said.

The City had yet to comment at the time of publishing.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here