The old Boy Scouts building situated on Sixth Street, Krugersdorp North not only has become an eyesore, but home to alleged drug addicts as well.
Renier de Beer who lives on the property adjacent to this building says in the past two years his home has been the target of many burglars, so much so that his insurance company refuses to pay out any additional claims.
Even when he tried selling his home, nobody was interested and after six months on the market he withdrew it.
Now he and his family are too afraid to leave their home, especially over weekends as they are scared to become victims of crime again.
When the news visited the building it was clear that it had not been in use for many years. The three brothers who have been living there for over two months say they came from Boksburg to bury their mother who lived in Krugersdorp West and have lived in the building since.
When asked about ablution facilities they told the news that they use a large hole in the ground for those purposes.
De Beer says the stench from the ‘toilet’ as well as from burning wood when the occupants cook food sometimes passes through his home and is a health risk. Rats, he says, are breeding in the tall grass and he has to set up traps in and around his home.
The seemingly illegal occupant neither could confirm nor deny that they use drugs, but did say that his brothers go to Sivewright Street in Luipaardsvlei for business.
De Beer says he wants the municipality to accept responsibility for this property.
“I have been living here for over 16 years and every time I enquire about the future of this property I come to a dead end. I even said I would put up fencing and keep the property clean.”
He says the municipality can fix the old Boy Scouts building and rent it out as a way to maintain the property and it’s surroundings.
They also are struggling with taxis that use this stretch – that used to be closed off – as a thoroughfare when picking up and dropping off children attending the nearby school.
Jakkie Naude, DA ward councillor for the area says he is aware of De Beer’s problems and has escalated the issue to the health department as well as the Mogale City Parks Department.
“I have no issues if De Beer incorporates this area into his property. Many people in and around the city do that and rent the piece of land from the municipality.”
