The City of Johannesburg confirmed on April 30 that it is applying to the courts for an eviction notice regarding a house on Corlett Drive in Bramley.

The property is not only overcrowded but has also been described as a crime hotspot.

The house has long been a matter of concern at Bramley Sector 2’s Community Policing Forum (CPF) meetings and has been raided multiple times by Bramley SAPS, resulting in arrests of undocumented foreign nationals.

A reporter met with Ward 74 councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, who conducted an oversight visit at the property on April 20 and expressed her concern about its condition.

Read more: Bramley property owner illegally leases her yard to recyclers

“Many residents and CPF have sent complaints about this house. What I have done is an oversight at the house. The house is occupied by a lot of residents, which is a concern. When I was here previously for an oversight, there was a lot of smoking of illegal substances,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku added that it was unacceptable for neighbouring property values to decline because of one problematic house.

“It is quite disappointing that it’s been almost two years since we started dealing with this house. It can’t be that it looks like it’s more than 100 people living here. There is always chaos happening on weekends, and there are illegal traders on the side of the pavement.”

Another issue she highlighted was the illegal traders who poured cooking oil and food mixed with water into stormwater drains, causing blockages and frequent flooding.

City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane explained that an eviction notice was necessary because the city cannot evict or demolish without proper legal documentation.

Also read: Ward 74 councillor commits to dealing with illegal activities and problematic properties in the ward

“There are other structures on the property, and clearly, there are multiple by-law transgressions. JMPD has and continues to act on reported by-law transgressions on the property until the court order is received, which should allow the city to effectively deal with the matter,” he said.

He noted that the site was rezoned in 2012 to accommodate a residential dwelling and veterinary clinic services.

The City of Johannesburg’s Planning Law Enforcement Unit and the Group Forensics and Investigation Services are aware of the problems, and investigations have been conducted.

Modingoane confirmed that the property was not hijacked and that tenants were paying rent.

“The owner remains responsible for payment of services, including credit control measures by the city. Various notices were issued, and the matter has been handed to attorneys to get a court order.”

He concluded that the city continued to hold public awareness meetings to discourage the rise of hijacked buildings and houses, educating property owners and occupiers about land use and by-law compliance requirements.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!