Vacant property attracting criminals

FRUSTRATED Kharwastan residents in KwaZulu-Natal want action taken against the owners of an abandoned house.

Residents said the house, which has been vacant for more than two years, was used by criminals to launch home break-ins. They also complained that the property had become an eyesore.

According to neighbour Teddy Naidoo, the vacant property had caused crime to increase. “We have trespassers who gain entry to my property at the back. I have since put up a fence and CCTV camera.

“I had two break-ins recently. This house, abandoned for two years, is worrying the neighbours and now they want something done about it. (Someone) broke into my garage and stole a bicycle. The burglar then came back to take another two.”

Naidoo said his increased security measures had not deterred burglars and he was concerned about the safety of his family.

When City Watch went to investigate, another neighbour backed Naidoo’s call for the city to address the issue.

Rivaaj Ramdas said: “If the house wasn’t vacant, criminals would not (be able to) enter our homes. My worry is that if nothing is done, conditions will deteriorate and we will have bigger problems in the community.”

City Watch spoke to the son of the former house owner, who is now deceased. It was established that the house is part of an estate that is in the process of being settled.

The son, who identified himself only as Jay, said he was not aware of any criminal activity.

“ADT security patrols the property. There is an alarm which alerts us when someone is trespassing. That is all we can do for now. I am also desperate for the estate to be wound up,” he said.

He said the house was vacant because the family used to rent it out after his parents died, but the tenants vandalised the house and stole the copper pipes. It cost money to remove the tenants and fix the damage.

eThekwini head of communications Tozi Mthethwa said the property was privately owned, so the onus was on the owner to protect it or surrender it to the council if they were battling to maintain and/or protect it.

“The municipality does not have the power to act in the absence of an official letter, preferably endorsed by a court of law, asking for the city to intervene,” said Mthethwa.

She said residents could report any illegal activity to the SAPS and metro police on 031 361 0000.

Residents could also report derelict buildings to the Inner City Thekwini Regeneration and Urban Management Programme (iTrump) on 031 322 4760.