Owners of abandoned properties in Meyersdal must come forward
The two pieces of land poses a health and safety hazard to the surrounding community.
MEYERSDAL residents are calling out to the owners of the open pieces of land in Philip Engelbrecht Street, Meyersdal, across Woodhill Office Park, to take responsibility for their property as it poses a health and safety hazard to the surrounding community.
Alderman Bruna Haipel and Meyersdal CPF representatives, André Bothma and Christella George, expressed their concern and frustration, claiming that these properties have attracted homeless people who litter and squat there. They agreed that it’s also highly likely for these people to commit crimes in nearby areas during desperate times.
André Bothma also shared his point of view: “If council was proactive and cared about the community, they would go the existing legal route to enforce the existing by-laws and force the owners to either develop the property or clean it at least once a month. If council continues to ignore this problem, surrounding homeowners will grow increasingly frustrated and then it’ll just be a matter of time before the entire field goes up in flames. My concern would then be the safety of the elderly vagrants and feral cats who reside there.”
“The EMPD was here a while ago to warn the people to leave, but they’ve already returned,” said Christella.
“A lot of litter gets dumped and burned here. It an eyesore and health hazard to the people who live close by. I also feel sorry for the feral cats that seek refuge here, because their lives are probably in danger as well.”
Site visit
The RECORD visited these sites with Haipel and George. On the properties, rubbish of all sorts could be seen strewn across and between long grasses. Some of the grass was burnt from where fires were made previously. The air smelled unpleasant and dirty. On both properties, makeshift shelters and beds could be found. Feral cats were sniffing among the rubbish for food.
It was safe to assume that the owners of the properties have not been here in quite some time.
Haipel said: “These properties have been raided by the EMPD, SAPS and CPF, but the squatters return within days. The owners are liable, as there are numerous by-laws that they are disobeying by allowing these properties to fall into such a bad, dangerous state. The owners also owe the metro huge amounts in unpaid rates and taxes. This has been a problem for over two years now, and still, nobody can get a hold of the owners.”
Haipel claims that she has done everything in her power to follow up the issue with the actual owners of the properties, but that she only managed to get a hold of one of them once via phone. Thereafter, the person to whom she had spoken avoided all further calls.
She also claims that the EMM’s Environmental Health Department has been involved in the issue, but explained that to have the area cleaned without assurance of a refund from the guilty parties, is an extremely costly exercise and that it would be unfair to expect ratepayers to foot this bill.
No success
The RECORD also tried contacting the owners, all to no avail. We are calling out to the owners to come forward and take responsibility for their property before it becomes an even worse detriment to the surrounding community.
For those who love animals – if anyone is willing to help the feral cats by safely removing them from these properties, it would be greatly appreciated.
The RECORD has been provided with the details of the owners and is also aware of the amounts of money they owe to the council. These owners are strongly advised to come forward and take responsibility for their properties, or else further measures will be taken.
If anyone knows the owners of these pieces of land, you can share their contact details with the RECORD, CPF or council, or is willing to help remove the feral cats from these dangerous places, please contact Alderman Bruna Haipel on 082 454 6956, André Bothma on 082 850 9107 or pop an email to moniquevw@caxton.co.za
This article was forwarded to the EMM to receive comment from their side, but none was received in time for its publishing.
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