Regarding vacant properties in our area

24/07/2018

I am sure we all agree that unattended vacant properties attract crime and dangerous situations and have an all-round devaluating effect on all properties in and around Dorothy road. Unfortunately every land owner has the responsibility towards his/her own property and third parties cannot do anything about a situation the owner doesn’t give consentto.

Currently there are two properties that are a problem, plot 14 and plot 36. Incidentally, to the best of our knowledge, both of these properties belong to the same owner, Mr. Peter Barnhoorn.

THE PROBLEM IS MANIFESTING IN TWO WAYS:

Firstly, it is not cleaned and maintained and thus becomes a fire hazard and hiding place for criminals. It attracts trespassers and looters that collect steel, bricks and other materials from the abandoned buildings, also endangering adjacent properties.

According to law, a site has to be maintained to an acceptable standard, kept free of weeds and rubbish, and firebreaks (5 meters) must be made.

Secondly, it becomes an attraction to squatters who are on the look-out to illegally occupy land. This creates tension between the current occupants and prospective invaders, creating a volatile situation which can have devastating effects on all other land owners and tenants passing the properties whilst using the public roads. These unstable conditions create tension and potential life threatening situations.

It has also come to our attention that the removal of the current occupants of plot 14 wasn’t enforced after the acquisition of the property in 2012 although it was stated in the contract that said occupants should vacate the land by December 2012. In our opinion, this is largely the reason for the current problems we are experiencing in the community. Since then, even more people started to occupy the property.

Another issue that surfaced last week was the news that there is a looming land grand planned for the 2nd of August 2018. This is a matter of great concern and must be attended to urgently.

As a community, we understand that the current situation on plot 14 is complex and there are no simple solutions. However, we cannot ignore the problem and hope that it doesn’t escalate, we will have to do something. The community is willing to help because it affects all of us but then we must be able to get a commitment of the owner of these properties to also do his part.

We therefore request:

• That the properties are cleaned and firebreaks made.
• That a court order for eviction will be obtained in the event of any squatters invading the properties and that the appropriate steps will be taken to evict them.
• That criminal activities are reported and case numbers are obtained from SAPS
• As a community we expect a response from the owner not later than Friday 27 July 2018.

It must be noted that if the owner receives notification to clear a site and fails to act, the municipality concerned will send in its own clearing team and the owner will be billed for the work done.

We do not want to take this route but will be forced to do so in the event that there is non-compliance from the owner.

We understand that we probably do not have all the facts but are willing to organize a meeting with the owner to explain to us what exactly we are dealing with and maybe propose some alternative solutions we might have overlooked.

If the owner is willing to meet with us, we would appreciate him giving us the go-ahead to arrange such a meeting. The church on 15 Dorothy Road will be available as a venue.

Concerned members of the community: