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RESTAURANT FEATURE on March o n 229 9M arch
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“ Te l lin g it a s it i s” E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 8 March 2011
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Problem house a burning issue in Salt River TAURIQ HASSEN
A
HOUSE in Salt River continues to plague its neighbours, with a fire being the most recent irritation. The house at 17 Coleridge Road has been burnt, overcrowded, destroyed and abused, leaving behind a dark empty shell covered in domestic and building waste. The building was previously occupied by several foreign nationals, who have since vacated the premises. One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that her kitchen now has a bad odour because of the stench emanating from the building next door. She added that several concerns were lodged with the City of Cape Town, and police said that each time a request was made for the building to be cleaned and secured. According to residents, complaints started streaming in about two years ago when the property reached its worst condition. Last year, People’s Post highlighted similar conditions at the building (“Nest of filth: ‘Do something now’”, 1 June 2010). “This has been carrying on for years. It’s getting out of control now and affecting all the residents around that disgusting building,” says the resident. Ziyaad Effendi, another Salt River resident, walks past the building every morning and night, as the house is on his route to work. He explains that strange people are usually seen leaving the building at “unusual hours”. “They must be drug users or something, because that house has been empty for years and they al-
ways look so drugged,” says Effendi. Ward Councillor Cedric Thomas feels “really sorry” for the surrounding residents, and says he has submitted suggestions to council to have the site improved. According to Thomas, the owner of the building has left a forwarding address, which is in Mafikeng. Thomas says it would appear that the owner no longer lives there as several letters have been sent to this address and no-one has received a response. Cheryl Walters, director for Planning and Building Development Management for the City, explains that tracking down the owner “has been a challenge”. “It is believed that he is living somewhere near Mafikeng, but there is no specific address recorded,” says Walters. Walters was fully aware of the problems at the site. “At present, the building is vermin infested and has been used by drug dealers and criminals, which compromises the safety of the public,” says Walters. Thomas confirmed that several “major” problems stem from the building, including anti-social behaviour, dumping and a major rat infestation. “It’s disgusting what is happening at that building, and I completely understand what the residents around the building are going through. Something must be done about this problem,” says Thomas. Nathan Ladergourdie, an official at the City’s Problems Building Unit, confirmed that the team is currently working on finding the owner. In December last year, Thomas, along with officials from the Prob-
DUMPED: Construction rubble is seen dumped all over the house. BURNING ISSUE: Number 17 Coleridge Road is slowly falling apart and creating antisocial prob lems, which are concerning local residents. A fire recently broke out on the top floor, which drove resi dents “up the wall”. Photos: Tauriq Hassen
DISGUSTING: Urine and fae ces are found all over the house, creat ing a disgust ing stench. lem Buildings Unit, met on site, and discussed ways in which to improve the state of the building. Thomas confirmed that council cleaned the building in November last year, but during a visit the following month, the building had slowly returned to its former state. It was then decided at the meeting that the building be barricaded, and adequate signage be incorporated at the site to warn anyone found trespassing about the criminal charges they could face. “This was decided and I was told this would happen, but it’s taking very long now and we need to get something done about this major problem,” Thomas said. Walters confirmed that the city had considered introducing fencing around the site, but discovered that the building was constructed too close to the pavement. “The building inspector served two notices in terms of Section 12
COMMUNITY WASTE: Certain members of the community are also guilty of dumping inside the house.
of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, Act 103 of 1977, but these notices have not been complied with by the owner,” Walters explained. According to Thomas, the notices have been sent via mail, with “no response to date”. People’s Post visited the site and scarring from the most recent fire could still be seen on the outside of the building. It was covered with litter and rats could be seen in the filth, with a foul stench creeping into the street. Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, described the house as “a disaster waiting to happen”. “There are so many things happening at this house and nothing is being done about it. Only when something happens to the residents around here, then council wants to jump,” says the resident. Her home is currently being in-
vaded by “large green flies” making their way from the piles of rubbish inside the house. Residents also highlighted that the dumping problem is caused by “residents around the area”. Ladegourdie said once the owner is located, he will be penalised, and he stands to pay for the costs incurred by council in boarding up the property. Walters confirmed that the building would be safely secured to prevent access. “This will be done at the owner’s expense. He will be presented with a bill and the process of boarding up the building is currently under way,” she said.
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