Residents – along with local pastors and police – held hands and prayed for “evil spirits to leave” the notorious ‘White House’ on Tuesday morning.
This abandoned building in Gerard Moerdyk Street has in recent years gained notoriety as a den for criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes.
The prayer meeting was part of the police’s so-called “divine intervention programme”.
ALSO READ: East police looking for house robbery suspects
Several police officers want the building to be demolished outright.
“The building poses a threat to our officers during the night-time patrols because it is dark as there is no electricity,” said police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela.
“Alternative accommodation must also be provided because that place is not safe to live in.”
Several Sunnyside residents told Rekord the building contributes to crime and drugs in the immediate area and around nearby Nelson Mandela Drive.
“I have been in talks with the metro since 2016 to have the building destroyed,” said local ward councillor Godfrey Mulaudzi.
“Nothing has, however, been done to date.”
Mulaudzi said the metro told him years ago that a private developer would demolish and develop the surrounding area.
“The place is not suitable for accommodation. We just want it to be demolished, the metro knows about it,” said Mulaudzi.
ALSO READ: Two nabbed in house burglary attempt
He said students from Unisa were being robbed “every day”. Commuters going to work using the Mandela Bridge, which is not far from the White House, were also targeted by criminals.
Mulaudzi said he held a door-to-door visit in more than two blocks of flats next to the building in 2017 and 2018.
He said it was clear during this visit that people were living in fear and were tired of neighbourhood crime.
“Instead of the building being used as a home for criminals and druggies, the municipality should demolish it,” a vendor in Gerard Moerdyk Street told Rekord.
“They must build a library as there is no library in Sunnyside.”
A White House resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said criminals who rob people in the streets are the ones giving the building such a bad reputation.
“They are giving a bad name to everyone who lives here because of their actions,” she said.
“It is not good because some people seriously need accommodation.”
ALSO READ: Brooklyn police seek divine intervention
Michael Dladla, who has been living at the White House for over eight years, said the major problem they are faced with is criminals who use the house as their hiding spot.
“Our wish is for the police to get rid of these criminals,” said Dladla.
“In spite of numerous arrests, surveillance, patrols and raids it is clear that policing alone cannot resolve the problem,” said Captain Mavimbela.
The most recent such police operation was on 15 February, which was led by the provincial commissioner of Gauteng General Elias Mawela.
“A multidisciplinary intervention that includes other interested parties such as the Tshwane municipality could provide a permanent solution,” Mavimbela said.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the property was officially known as the Moth Building. It was part of the Nelson Mandela corridor concession agreement.
ALSO READ: Divine intervention sought in fight against gender-based violence in Pta CBD
“A private group is liable for the protection and development of the property as per the agreement,” said Mashigo.
“The matter has been referred to city’s planning building control for further action.”
Mashigo said the metro would also look into legal options to reclaim the property and release it to the market.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
