A person can be seen sitting in the building – Unacceptable to Oakdene residents
According to this resident, people are using the building to sleep in and washing is hung up, which can be seen from the road.
RESIDENTS of Wemmershoek Avenue, Oakdene are angry about a building, which has been left partially built and now attracts unsavoury elements and they feel unsafe in their own homes.
One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “I sent an email complaint to various City officials and councillors Michael Crichton (Ward 56) and Tyrell Myers (Ward 124) and was told the owner of the property had been given seven days to sort out the property. That was two months ago, now what? Nothing is being done about this!”
According to this resident, people are using the building to sleep in and washing is hung up, which can be seen from the road.
“The pavement area is littered with condom boxes, empty alcohol bottles and food wrappers. Children go and play there and it’s not safe for them. Apart from the partly built house itself which poses a threat of children injuring themselves, what if a homeless person was drunk and attacked them? Residents can tell their children not to go and play there, but believe me to a child this is an adventure playground. The residents of Wemmershoek Avenue want answers,” she added.
Councillor’s comment
Crichton said, “I agree stand 394.9 Wemmershoek Avenue, Oakdene has been a problematic property for some years now as the owner of the stand started to build on it, but then suddenly halted its building operation as the owner seemingly ran out of funds.
“Not only did the building operation stop but over the years the stand has become completely neglected, becoming overgrown and I believe at times misplaced people have occupied the stand. In light of this, both councillor Tyrell Meyers and I have written to the Environmental Health and Building Control departments. This resulted in the owner receiving formal notices from both these departments. I see the vegetation on this stand has at least been cleared but I haven’t seen much progress with regards to the building. It may get to a point where the building control department might need to take the owner of this stand to the municipal court.”
