For over a decade, the derelict structures on a neglected Bengal Street, Laudium property, have been plaguing nearby residents who say they are unfortunate to be living in close proximity to the ruins.
Many nearby residents told the Laudium Sun that not only do the structures offer a convenient hiding spot for criminals and those with ill intentions, but they are attracting rodents in their droves, adding that the dilapidated house seems to be an open invitation to reckless residents who illegally dump around the ruins on numbers 566 and 568 Bengal Street.
One such disgruntled resident, Shereen Govender, was adamant that something needed to be done about the issue urgently. "Our safety and health are being compromised. We are living in fear around here, not knowing when the next attacker will appear out of the deserted area and we are not getting any kind of help,” Shereen said.
Shereen is one of the many Bengal Street residents who have been appealing to the council, as well as the apparent owner of the two abandoned properties - Byron Neonakis - in a bid to do something about this deplorable state of affairs.
While speaking to the Laudium Sun, Shereen detailed the ongoing struggle she has had to endure, while trying to get Byron to attend to his properties; either by having the area cordoned off, sold, or simply maintained at an acceptable standard.
"For me, it all began a few years ago, when I moved up here from Tongaat," she said, "I started fighting to get those structures removed because they posed a danger to the welfare of my family. I have been contacting the authorities, as well as going in and out of court with regard to this matter, but both the courts and council have failed me," she despaired.
"I even tried contacting the town planner's office, trying to get their support to have the structures demolished, but I got no joy from them either. Don’t they realise the danger we are in?" Shereen questioned.
"I went so far as to write letters to the Mayor of Tshwane, but I got no response from him either."
The alleged owner, Byron, apparently assured Shereen that he would have the property fenced, but she said that he has not even bothered to visit the property in years. "He visited a couple of years back and said he would be putting up fences but he only got as far as the poles. Then he disappeared, leaving it all incomplete," Shereen sighed.
"I don't know why the municipality is not looking into the matter. What is holding them back? What is stopping them from disposing of this property? It seems to me as if this Byron has some hold over them and that is why they will not do anything. Pedestrians are being robbed around here. Women walking past those ruins are threatened, and some have even had their cellphones snatched from them, as criminals use the area as a lookout point to spot and pounce on unsuspecting victims," Shereen explained.
"Criminals also use this way as a fast escape. They run from the cops and just disappear through the opening leading into Atteridgeville. And now this plot has become a dumping site, that no-one ever comes to clean up. This dump is attracting rodents, which are coming straight into our homes. Our pets are also being infested with ticks and fleas, just from playing outside," she added.
"The neighbours and I have tried everything. And we have still gotten no response. We don't know whether we should sue the municipality because we are being taken advantage of by them. Our lives and those of our families are being put at risk. What I do know is that if anything bad should happen to my family, then all hell will break loose, and I can guarantee that," an outraged Shereen vowed.
Councillor Essop told the Laudium Sun: "I am aware of the problem, but it has now been handed over to our legal section which has instituted proceedings against the owner."
The Laudium Sun contacted Byron, who exclaimed, “I have nothing to say!”
The source of all the concern: the Bengal Street ruins in Ext 3.
"Who should I turn to? Not even the mayor is responding to my letters,” claims a distressed Shereen Govender.