Residents and businesses in the Laudium CBD area are yet again complaining about an abandoned house that is being used by nyaopes and vagrants for criminal activities.
Despite several promises by the ANC-led Tshwane Council that action would be taken against the owner of the 9th Avenue property, for not complying with Council by-laws and even approaching the High Court to get an order for the Council to demolish the house, the house remains a problem. Over the years, locals have been complaining about the filth on the property, which has been causing a stench in the air, with rats running around the neigbouring properties. Neighbours even complained about disturbing loud noises and screaming, especially at night. The property has become a dumping site, with filth accumulating in and around the house, creating concern among neighbouring residents. Residents, some of whom live on 11th Avenue, the street behind the house, say they have raised the matter with the Council several times over years, requesting assistance but say that no meaningful action has been taken against the occupants and the owner. According to residents, the house has been abandoned for about ten years and they are now once more calling on the relevant authorities, including Ward Councillor Naeem Patel to intervene and address the unhealthy environment and nuisance caused by the illegal occupants of the house, which even caught fire recently, posing a danger to the neighbourhood.
complaining about dumping and littering on the property, creating conditions where vermin are thriving.
Dayanunthen Ramsamy Naidoo of 11th Avenue, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “I have repeatedly raised concerns about the illegal dumping and health risks linked to the abandoned house on 9th Avenue, which is situated directly behind my home. The property, located at 181 9th Avenue, has been vacant for more than 10 years and has been left without proper care or maintenance for a very long time. Because the house has remained unattended to, the property has gradually become a serious problem for the surrounding residents. People who are homeless have been taking advantage of the neglected premises, while rubbish and litter have accumulated across the yard. What concerns me most is that this is no longer simply an eyesore; it has become a potential health and safety hazard for those of us living nearby. Over the years, I have tried to find a solution by communicating with Councillors and other relevant stakeholders. One of the main issues has been establishing who is responsible for the property so that the matter can be dealt with properly. Despite various discussions and efforts to get clarity, the situation has remained unresolved. I have also reported the problem to different authorities, including the Department of Health, the South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police Department. These reports were made because the condition of the property has continued to deteriorate and has started affecting the quality of life of residents living in the surrounding homes. The property has also become associated with people who are believed to be involved in drug use and other unlawful activities. Some individuals have put up shacks in parts of the yard, particularly towards the rear of the premises. This has made the situation even more concerning because their shacks are directly behind my home, meaning that the problems at the property are very close to where my family and I live. The vegetation in that yard has become badly overgrown, with grass, illegal dumping and trees taking over large sections of the property. At the same time, discarded rubbish has continued to build up. This combination has created conditions where vermin are thriving. We have seen snakes in the area, while rats, cockroaches and other pests have also become a recurring concern. For residents, this is not something that can simply be ignored. The longer the property remains neglected, the greater the concern becomes. We should not have to live next to a property that has effectively been allowed to deteriorate for more than a decade. I am therefore pleading with the Municipal authorities, health officials and law enforcement agencies to take decisive steps. There needs to be a proper assessment of the property, the ownership must be established and the responsible party should be required to address the condition of the premises. I also sincerely appeal to the rightful owner, or any family members connected to 181 9th Avenue, Laudium, to come forward. If there is an owner or family representative who can take responsibility, we need them to do so before the situation becomes even more serious. Residents have waited for a long time and we now need a practical solution. The property should be cleaned, secured and properly maintained so that it no longer poses a threat or attracts illegal activity. We are simply asking for the authorities and the rightful owner to act and restore safety and dignity to the surrounding neighbourhood. Otherwise, the Council should approach the court to get an order to demolish the house.”
Ramiz Aboo of 9th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “I personally went into the yard and saw the condition of the abandoned house in our area and it is extremely concerning. The property has deteriorated badly and the yard is now filled with rubbish that has been dumped there illegally. Every time I see the state of the premises, I worry about what this could mean for the people who live close by. This is no longer just a matter of an untidy property. The amount of waste lying around can create serious health concerns for nearby households. When rubbish is left to accumulate for a long period, it will attract pests and create conditions that are not suitable for a residential neighbourhood. Residents should not have to live with these problems next to their homes. The abandoned house has also become an unfortunate feature of our street. Instead of being maintained as a normal residential property, it has been left to deteriorate and the illegal occupants are now using the premises as a place to dispose of unwanted waste. This has made the surrounding environment look neglected and has caused frustration among residents and businesses. What concerns me is that this problem cannot continue indefinitely. There needs to be a clear plan for the property. Either the relevant authority must intervene, or the owner needs to take responsibility and ensure that the house and yard are brought back into a proper condition. We are not asking for anything complicated. We want the property to be attended to so that the dumping and nuisance can stop and the area can once again be safe and acceptable for nearby residents. A neglected house can quickly become a bigger problem when nobody takes responsibility for it. As people living on 9th Avenue, we should not be expected to simply accept this situation. We have our homes and families here and we deserve to live in an environment that is properly maintained. The condition of this property affects more than just the owner; it has consequences for everyone living around it. I believe a permanent solution is needed rather than temporary attention. Cleaning the rubbish once will not solve the problem if the house remains unattended afterwards. The premises should be secured and monitored so that people cannot continue using the yard as an illegal dumping site. I would like to appeal to the authorities to investigate the matter and determine who is responsible for the property. If the owner can be located, that person should be contacted and asked to deal with the condition of the house. If there are Municipal processes that need to be followed to demolish the house, those processes should be started without further delay.”
Attempts to get hold of the registered owner, a certain Essa Muhammad (47), were futile.