POLOKWANE – Abandoned houses and undeveloped erven are the ideal hiding places for criminals, and as such, several residents have expressed their concern over such places.
Earlier this year, the body of a man was found in an abandoned building in Flora Park. People living in the vicinity of Genl Maritz Street in Welgelegen also said they were worried that an abandoned stand in the area was a haven for criminals. Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, said these properties made policing difficult. He said these properties were used by criminals as hideouts, look out points or to store stolen goods.
“It starts with the house standing vacant and the yard becoming overgrown. “Criminals force entry into the property and steal anything that can be sold. These normally include light fittings, taps, electrical wires and plugs,” Phala explained. He said there were at least 10 vacant houses in the city and the owners had ignored the police’s requests to ensure maintenance thereof.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the municipality controlled land use according to the zoning and title deed conditions of each property. She said should it be deemed necessary, the municipality could force the owner to clean up the site, failing which, the municipality could clean it up at the cost of the owner.
The property owner will be served with a notice to clean the property and in the event that there is no response, the municipality will clean the property and bill the property owner on their rates statement,” Chuene said, failing which the municipality could also recommend that the building was demolished.
She further said some abandoned properties were in the state they were in due to estate disputes or insurance investigations, and in such cases, the municipality could only act after these processes were concluded.
“In the case where a piece of vacant land was bought from the municipality, the sale condition has a period attached to it and where there is no compliance, the municipality will notify the owner and based on legitimate circumstances that satisfy the municipality, the period may be extended,” she said.
If you are aware of suspicious activities at a vacant house or stand, phone the building inspection section and the land management section at (015) 290 2568 or (015) 290 2075 for investigation.
