Ward 102 blitz exposes illegal rental units
A high-impact service delivery blitz in Ward 102 uncovered illegal building work, overcrowded rental units and cut services, prompting the councillor to promise ongoing inspections.
Group Forensic and Investigative Services, alongside various city officials in Ward 102, recently cracked down on problem properties in the area.
The stand-in ward councillor, Bea Campbell-Cloete, described the conditions they found as ‘scary.’ She joined officials to inspect houses that had been flagged for breaking the rules, including building work done without permission and rental rooms packed with too many people.
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At one house, the team found about 40 rooms being rented out, even though the electricity and water had already been cut off. The councillor noted that the owner was fully aware of the situation. At another site, building work was happening without the proper approval, and the councillor mentioned that the workers were believed to be undocumented.
The final property they visited was described as the most worrying. The owner had been warned previously and told to get the tenants to leave, as the place is thought to have around 40 rental units. When officials returned, the owner claimed the tenants were refusing to move out, but the councillor insisted the owner was to blame.
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“It wasn’t the tenants who created the problem. He created the problem,” the councillor said.
She explained that these inspections show how some homeowners are ignoring council rules and overcrowding properties just to make money. She promised that more inspections will follow as they continue to enforce the law.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: The living conditions of people at a problem property on Surrey Avenue, The living conditions of people at a problem property in Ferndale and Police officers catch employees as they attempt to flee. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #Randburg #SAPS ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North
“If you’re doing something illegal, we’re coming for you,” she said.
Residents are encouraged to let the council know if they suspect any illegal building work or overcrowding is happening in their neighbourhood.
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