Abandoned property issues resurface

The property, located at 19 Chapel Road, was featured in Abandoned property problem, week ending 30 November. Resident Ivan Meikle and ward councillor Mike Wood said the dilapidated house, owned by Abalengani Properties, was an eyesore in the suburb and was attracting criminal activity and vagrants who were living there. In response, Irshad Sulliman, who assists with Abalengani’s property portfolio, said contractors were sent out the day after he was informed to perform a thorough cleaning. He said the hole in the fence was repaired and all the rat nests and vagrant sleeping areas had been cleared away.

However, there has been little progress since, according to Meikle. The house has since been demolished but security remains a huge problem, evidenced by a large hole in the front gate allowing free access. He said neighbours still have problems with rats the size of cats. He said, “Security is completely compromised, but they couldn’t care less about this place.” He said workers had been coming to the site sporadically. Bricks from the paved driveway have disappeared and rubble from the demolition has remained untended for almost three months, said Meikle.

Sulliman could not comment on the plans for the property, but he expressed frustration with the way the situation had been handled. He said he had received no complaints from residents and he hadn’t been aware that there were still issues there. He said if he had been informed he would have sent out a team to assess the situation and rectify it immediately. A day after he spoke to Sandton Chronicle he reported that the hole in the fence had been fixed and arrangements were being made for a contractor to do a thorough cleaning of the property.

He added that his direct number is on the property boards of Abalengani’s properties and if residents have any issues to report, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact him and the issues would be taken care of.