Illegal student accommodation a massive problem

MBOMBELA - With an increasing number of students flocking to the city to get a higher qualification at three of the top education institutions in the country, it might look like a dream come true for students and administrators alike.

But the dark side of the student community is also rearing its ugly head as illegal and unregistered accommodation facilities pop up all over the city.

During a month-long investigation, Lowvelder has found no fewer than 39 unregistered and thus illegal accommodation facilities.

The crux of the matter is that students will always be on the lookout for accommodation, as education institutions just do not have enough accommodation of their own available.

With the sprawling unofficial accommodation units popping up, not only are students being exploited by greedy landlords, but residents are driven up the wall as complaints of unruly, badly behaved, drunk and disrespectful students stream in, especially in the residential areas.

“They are here to study. So why not do that and stop the 24-hour partying and drunken havoc they cause?" said a resident of Acacia Crescent.

Many of the residential houses in the street have been converted into what residents call “sardine cans” in which students sleep and party.

One of the main concerns is the valuation of property in the vicinity.

“Our property valuation has been dropping like a rock since these hellholes were established. The only people who could do something about the matter, the police and the municipality, seem reluctant or unable to act,” said another resident.

“The constant noise is so bad that our children can’t study or sleep at night,” a resident of Magda Street complained.

This past weekend, the music, shouting and cars racing up and down the street started on Friday afternoon. Video footage in Lowvelder’s possession, taken at 03:00 on Sunday as well as at 08:00, shows a constant blaring of music filling the air.

The main culprit here is the Sunset Manor Guest House, which was turned into student accommodation. The same owner bought two other houses adjacent to Sunset Manor and turned them into accommodation, too.

Sibongile Makushe, the executive mayor of Mbombela, told Lowvelder on Sunday morning that the council has by-laws on these matters.

“I will take it up with the department as a matter of urgency,” she said.

Recently, Sunset Manor came under the spotlight of the authorities, not because of the illegal student accommodation they supply, but due to non-payment of their water bill and allegedly bypassing the electricity meters.

For a period of time, these houses' water supply and electricity were cut, but the matter has been resolved now.

“At most of these so-called student accommodations units, there is unearthly noise until the early hours of the morning, bottles are lying in the street after their partying, rubbish is strewn all over and cars are parked on the pavement with doors and boots open and blaring music pumping out,” a resident in Valencia Street said.

“Why don’t they just do what they are supposed to do here - study?! That’s why they are called students!” and irate resident in Stonehenge said.

A list of questions was submitted to several of these landlords, but they had not responded by the time of going to press.

Sanley van der Merwe, a DA councillor of Ward 17, says the biggest problem is the red tape that applicants must cut through in the process of applying for a licence to run a student facility.

The three biggest education institutions currently in the city is the University of Mpumalanga, the Tshwane University of Technology and the FED College adjacent to the High Court. All these institutions have lists of approved student accommodation available, which they control and police. It is, however, the illegal facilities that are causing all the problems.

Joseph Ngala, spokesperson for the

City of Mbombela, said they are trying to control the issue as best they can.

“The council recently adopted a new policy about the control of student accommodations within the municipal area. The policy went through public participation and was adopted by council and incorporated into the Spatial Development Framework and the Land Use Scheme of the Municipality,” he said.

There are only 11 facilities that are fully registered as student accommodation with the municipality, and the council is considering 20 new applications.

“We are aware of many student accommodation facilities that have been converted without prior municipal approval.

According to Ngala, complaints must be managed in terms of the approved bylaws adopted by the municipality.

“The department of public safety should deal with complaints as and when they are reported.”

During a month-long investigation, Lowvelder has found no fewer than 39 unregistered and thus illegal accommodation facilities