Johannesburg Metro Police Department fed up with Bramley’s ‘100-person’ problem house
The ‘100 person’ problem property has been an issue for years, with Bramley SAPS having raided it several times, resulting in arrests of undocumented foreign nationals. The City of Johannesburg is now applying for an eviction notice to deal with the problem once and for all.
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; it 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.
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A reporter met with Ward 74 councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, who conducted an oversight visit at the property on April 20, expressing her concern about its condition. “Many residents, as well as the 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.”
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 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.”
She highlighted that the illegal traders pour cooking oil and food mixed with water into storm water 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. “There are other structures on the property, and, clearly, there are multiple by-law transgressions. JMPD 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.”
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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.
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