An abandoned house on 6th Avenue in Orange Grove has become a serious concern for residents, after years of neglect and a recent murder linked to the property, reports Rosebank Killarney Gazette.

Ward councillor Eleanor Huggett says she has been trying for more than eight years to resolve the issue. The house was privately owned, but the owner died without a will.

The heirs were later found living overseas and were not aware that they had inherited the property.
During this time, the city continued charging for services such as water, electricity, and refuse removal. These charges built up into a large amount of debt, making it difficult for anyone to buy the property.

Huggett says some people have shown interest in buying and fixing the house, but the debt attached to it has stopped any sale from going through. She adds that she has asked the city to decide the debt, but nothing has been done.

The house has been occupied by vulnerable people, including children, and has become unsafe. Officials from social development and environmental health have visited the site, but residents say no real action has been taken.

The situation became more serious in April when a man was murdered at the property.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Eric Masotsha says officers were called to the house on April 9, where they found the body of a man among the rubble.

A witness gave information that helped police with the case.

The next day, police were told that community members were attacking two men believed to be responsible for the murder. Officers arrived and found the suspects injured on the ground. They rescued the men and took them into custody.

A witness identified them as the perpetrators. An okapi knife was recovered from one of the men, who was subsequently linked to the fatal stabbing.

The suspects were treated, under police guard, at Edenvale Hospital, and later returned to the holding cells. They have since appeared in court, where bail was refused. They remain in custody pending further proceedings.

Masotsha urged residents not to take the law into their own hands, and to report criminal activity to the authorities.

Councillor Strike Rambani says the building is known as a bad building, occupied by homeless people. He has called on the city to demolish it and take it over.

In response to queries, City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane says the municipality is legally obligated to recover all outstanding debt linked to a property, in accordance with national legislation governing municipal systems and property rates.

The city maintains that debt remains the responsibility of the registered owner and cannot be automatically written off, even in cases where properties are abandoned or hijacked.

While relief measures, such as debt write-off programmes and payment arrangements, are available, these require engagement from property owners. The municipality also cites legal restrictions that prevent it from disclosing specific account details.

Despite these explanations, the impasse continues, leaving a dangerous structure standing in the heart of a residential neighbourhood.

For residents of Orange Grove, the unanswered question remains: How many more incidents it will take before decisive action is finally taken?

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