Councillor keeps eye on ‘house of horrors’

PHOMOLONG ward councillor Winters Keetile has promised to keep an eye on the house where a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped on the weekend.

Neighbours in the area complained that the house was frequented by drug users and criminals.

They added that the house had previously been set alight, while the garden was overgrown.

Keetile indicated that the house could only be shut or demolished by way of a court order.

“There is also an ongoing battle between two siblings regarding the ownership of the house, following the death of their mother and aunt,” said Keetile.

“The aunt’s son, who was staying at the house, spent time in prison and has since returned to the cells. The sister is supposed to be responsible for the upkeep of the house, although her brother put her out of the house.”

Keetile stated that he was previously requested to inspect the house.

“I did observe people smoking drugs there.”

Keetile added that he had held numerous community meetings and no one had reported the supposed criminal activities taking place at the house.

“There was only one occasion that I received a complaint, about three years ago, regarding drug users who were smoking dagga and ingesting tablets. It was only over the weekend that I was informed about the incident that allegedly took place at the house.

“About three to four years ago the house burnt down but it was later repaired following the death of the mother. The house was registered in the name of the late mother while the brother and sister are in the process of transferring the property into their names.”

Keetile said that he would consult with the police to examine the number of crimes that have been reported for investigation at the house.

“If it is indeed a problem, I will follow it up.”