Wessa chairman threatened after container eyesore exposed
A family member of the property owner mentioned in an article in last week's Sun (Clean-up campaign clamps down on unsightly 'blackspot') has taken umbrage at some ommissions in the article, which the Sun apologises for.
In the article the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) chairman Chris Skinner called for the removal of three shipping containers from a residential property in Athlone Park. Chris was under the impression they belong to the owner of Unitech, who he said died recently. He also said he had heard that Unitech and the containers are part of the owner’s estate, which still has to be wound up. Two of the containers have since been removed.
“The land is private property owned by Maarten Coetsee and currently under the estate with the executors to be transferred to the new beneficiaries,” said Giovanni Venturella, who is married to Maarten’s daughter Leane.
“Mr Coetsee did not pass away recently, but on 2 May, 2012.
At the time of his death, Mr Coetsee sold his shares to the remaining two shareholders of Unitech, who the containers belong to.
Unitech has since closed down. We are not responsible for Unitech and their belongings and the executors have nothing to do with removing the containers. It is the sole responsibility of the remaining shareholders.
It is no one’s business to judge the land that is owned by Mr Coetsee and what he does with it,” said Venturella.
Not so said Toti Conservancy chairman, Laura Taylor. “There are waste laws governing this sort of issue and by leaving those containers there, they are in contravention of these laws, regardless of whether it is private property or not. This attitude of whatever I do on my own land is nobody’s business is completely outdated and illegal,” said Laura.
“As a resident of Athlone Park for more than 20 years, I have been disappointed by the deterioration in the public spaces that we enjoy,” said Chris, in response to Venturella’s complaint.
“The containers may be on private land, but that is no excuse for what has been a permanent eyesore.”
Chris said a caller left threatening and abusive messages on his cellphone after the article was published. “I object strongly to a caller who phoned me at 8.30pm on Thursday and threatened me because I have exposed what I thought was a matter of public interest. Every single family in Athlone Park will support me in my effort to clean up the area.”
