Residents raise concerns over abandoned house in K’dorp North
An abandoned house in Krugersdorp North has left residents worried about their safety.
Residents who live on Wishart Street in Krugersdorp North are concerned about an abandoned house that they claim has been illegally occupied.
The home in particular has been vacant and abandoned for over a year and the owner of the property has not been identified as yet. This may seem like a minor issue at first, however, it has become a health and safety concern for residents.
Firstly, the condition of the house has been described as horrible and secondly, residents have been complaining that the house is being used by dwellers where a lot of illegal activity is taking place.
Other common complaints that the Krugersdorp News has received from residents regarding the property include the house being a fire hazard and the yard of the property being cluttered with rubbish and tyres creating another potential fire hazard that poses a danger to surrounding homes. To add, the overgrown grass has become a breeding ground for pests, most notably mice, which were not present in the area before. This infestation is now affecting the hygiene and comfort of some homes.
According to nearby resident Rickus Mulder, he is quite concerned about the alleged illegal water usage.
”It has come to my attention that the occupants of the property are tapping into the water meter despite the house being supposed to have no water supply. This not only raises legal concerns but also contributes to water wastage,” he said.
Mulder added that the property appears to be occupied without legal authorisation as the yard levies are in arrears and the ownership details remain unknown.
“This unauthorised occupancy is harmful to the image and value of our neighbourhood,” continued Mulder.
When the News visited the property, what could be seen was a home with dilapidated infrastructure. There were broken windows, and the house was overall neglected.
According to Mogale City Executive Manager of Community Development Services Lovey Modiba, the municipality is busy investigating the matter.
“We are trying to find the owner of the property. In terms of municipal laws, if a property is unkempt and abandoned, the municipality must send an inspector who places a sign on the property, contact the homeowner, and establish a 10-day deadline for the home to be claimed. If the homeowner doesn’t come forward within that time the municipality can put the house up for auction.”
