Tenants of Umgibeli block of flats in Sunnyside plan to stop paying their monthly rent from next month until security is improved by the landowners. They intend pooling their rent money to improve security of the building themselves.
Resident Edmond Moyo, who is spearheading the initiative, revealed this to Rekord on Monday, days after the burial of a 10-month-old child who had been shot in both legs by armed robbers at the building.
Musea Weldencheal was buried in Mamelodi last week.
Musea’s parents, who confirmed that he died two weeks ago, were still in mourning and declined to speak to reporters.
Musea and his father Saltan were shot during a robbery in April and criminals got away with R1 000 in cash and a cellphone. The boy was only six months-old when he was shot. The same bullet that wounded both his legs hit his father.
Seltan lived with the bullet inside his body for 21 days before it was removed on 19 May, when doctors felt it was safe to do so.
Residents of the Umgibeli block of flats are worried about the safety of the building, and fear for their lives. “We are extremely fearful for our lives. The landlords do not improve security in the complex,” Moyo said.
A lack of access control had turned the building into a hub for crime where people, especially foreigners, freely smoke dagga.
Moyo said residents were victims of crime almost on a daily basis, with break-ins and clothes being stolen from washing lines a common occurrence.
Moyo said the rent boycott would be formalised by residents signing a petition against the lack of security, and agreeing to withhold their rent money from September.
“We will use the money to improve security such as having access control.”
The security guards currently used at the building were useless, Moyo said. They are change almost every week, making it difficult for the guards on duty to get to know residents. They then allow anyone into the building, also giving criminals access.
Residents also suspected some security guards were in cahoots with criminals.
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