Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer says she is relieved, but cautious, following the eviction of illegal occupiers and the demolition of a dilapidated building at the corner of Main and Bond streets.

She described the outcome as a hard-won community victory that nonetheless exposed deeper challenges around illegal occupation in the area. Koekemoer, who has served as ward councillor since 2021, said she first became aware of the illegal occupation several weeks after taking office.

Over the years that followed, the property became a persistent source of concern for residents and authorities alike.

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“I am relieved that the torment to residents is finally coming to an end. I’m hopeful that something beautiful will take its place, but cautious, because although this is a solid win for the community, it doesn’t solve the long-term housing crisis. It is a drop in the ocean as many of those evicted have now started occupying other problem properties in the area.”

The property, which some occupiers had described as a former shelter for women and children, was never a registered or legal facility, according to Koekemoer. She said the building had belonged to a company that went bankrupt shortly after purchasing it, leaving it vulnerable to illegal occupation.

Inspections carried out with the city’s community residential unit management department and law enforcement uncovered conditions she described as inhumane.

“On multiple occasions, while inspecting the property, we found live ammunition, signs of prostitution, and living conditions not fit for human habitation, let alone safe for children. There was no water, no electricity, raw sewage leaking on the property, and open fires that led to outbuildings catching fire more than once, which ultimately contributed to the need for demolition.”

On the question of how the ward identifies and responds to illegal occupations before they reach a crisis point, Koekemoer was candid about the limitations of the current system. She said the ward relies heavily on residents reporting suspicious activity, after which a property is flagged to the city’s community residential unit management department as a problem property.

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An investigation then determines the nature of the situation before the property is placed on a register for intervention. “The challenge is that, in many cases, it takes months, if not years, between reporting these properties and any resolution or constructive intervention.” The Main and Bond streets property took more than five years to resolve.

Koekemoer said she has engaged with the new landowners, who have indicated plans that would benefit the community, but she stopped short of sharing details, saying she would leave that disclosure to them once the necessary land use applications and processes had been completed.

She used the occasion to send a direct message to other property owners in the ward who may be facing similar situations.

“Do not be an enabler by leaving your property vulnerable. When you suspect your property, or a neighbouring property, is under threat, report it quickly.

Know your tenants. Do not rent to unverified persons, and if the property is already hijacked, do not give up or throw in the towel. The process is slow, but with the right people and a whole lot of determination, it is moving in the right direction.”

On the fate of those displaced by the eviction, Koekemoer acknowledged that while alternative shelter is offered to occupiers during the eviction process, such offers are rarely accepted.

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