DEAR Editor,-
I own three flats in Seabrook, purchased when they first went up for sale more than 30 years ago. Margate was a wonderful place and I have so many happy memories spent there since a teenager.
Owning these has now become a liability. Considerable time is taken up at the AGM in an attempt to find a solution to the water problems, crime, and the condition of the beach, which is adversely affecting the letting potential.
The actions taken to try and resolve some of the issues have inevitably resulted in increased levy costs, which in turn affect the income and letting price. It should not be the owner’s responsibility to do the policing or address water problems considering we pay the authorities to take care of these functions.
Income is not my main concern, but advertising a holiday and causing inconvenience to people who in good faith paid for a holiday which in no way could meet their expectations is in itself false advertising, although unintentional.
Presently I am at my home in Shirley Avenue, Ramsgate. I have a farm in Heidelberg, Gauteng, and try to spend time between the two locations. In 2015 I suffered a very serious heart attack and this affected my legs. In view of this and with prodding from my sons it was my intention to sell the farm and relocate permanently to Ramsgate.
Under the current conditions I would never consider this as the farm is less stressful than trying to deal with all the problems resulting from what was once no electricity at the most inconvenient times – and now the water and crime. My wife was also against living here as she feels more secure on the farm than in our home in Ramsgate. We have lived on the farm for 25 years without incident.
In November our main bedroom in Ramsgate was flooded because the pipes were not able to withstand the constant change in pressure. The ceiling will have to be replaced and all the furniture was damaged. What is left of the ceiling is rotting and the smell is unbearable. We had the piping repaired, only for the problem to reoccur with the water outage in December.
At this time our dishwasher was on and ran dry, resulting in more damage. Ugu is a law unto itself and trying to communicate with them is pointless. In October 2014, no account was received, but an amount of R6 000 was brought forward in the following month. In spite of sending emails, trying to phone and withholding payment, they did not meet my request for a copy of this account.
As mentioned, I spent 18 years with the Springs Municipality and served as deputy mayor, mayor, was on the management committee and appointed as Alderman for service to the town. I did not belong to any political party. Sure, there were problems, but minor compared to what we are facing in this area. There was a forward planning department and equipment that was not available locally was ordered five years in advance.
The lack of service in the area has far-reaching consequences for the sustainability of the area as a holiday destination, let alone the growth and property prices in the region. The lack of water is totally unacceptable and is a serious health hazard, which has been going on since 1997 and has yet not been resolved.
I will be contacting my lawyer for his legal opinion on withholding my rates payments until the services being paid for are being provided. When I return to Heidelberg, I will contact Carte Blanche to explain the conditions and request them to investigate what is taking place – with the possibility of them undertaking a programme.
THEO SELKON
Ramsgate
