Property owners near the parking area in Voortrekker Street – bordering Patterson-, Allen- and Harding Street – are complaining about trash, fires, urine, faeces and loiterers.

The Voortrekker SS 65 substation is being used as a fireplace for the homeless and a bathroom for taxi drivers, making it a foul-smelling, dangerous fire hazard.

3 years of complaining

Mr Roy Maghoo, one of the property owners in question, has been raising concerns over the past three years. He says his property’s alleyway is used as an easy escape route for thieves. “They run into the overgrown field opposite my property, making it impossible for the authorities to track them down.”

Another major concern is the loiterers who dig in the surrounding businesses’ trash and throw what they don’t want in the overgrown field. The smell of urine and faeces fills the air, attracting flies and rodents.

Reaction

Matthew Shunmugam, chairperson of the Newcastle Residents Forum (NRF), highlighted the concerns over anti-social activities, overgrown vegetation reducing parking space, and private properties being maintained in contravention of by-laws. “The municipality, as the custodian of by-laws, has failed badly with regards to the implementation of said bylaws, crippling trade in the CBD,” Shunmugam said.

The municipality responded to the Advertiser’s questions regarding the issue at hand by stating, “The enquiry has been referred to the Community Service Department for immediate consideration.”

Emotions are high, patience is growing thin and frustration is brewing, as it seems there is no grace for another person’s space.

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