Breeding ground for rats and snakes
THE overgrown grass and trees in unoccupied houses on Binty Dixon Road, in Malvern, has caused residents to live in fear of snakes and rats which are entering their properties.
Several residents maintain that they have been affected by the situation.
Two houses located on the same road were left vacant about three years ago. Residents believed that the overgrown grass and trees created a breeding ground for snakes and rats. The properties are privately owned and residents said they have been raising the issue with the owners and the municipality. But they claimed no one was interested in resolving their issues.
Resident Mandy Clouston said she had tried several times to engage the owners of the property, but the matter has not been resolved.
“We have had endless problems with the two yards that are so overgrown. It has become a health and safety risk. We are now battling with rats and snakes. Besides that, last week our dog was mauled to death by two strange dogs that hide in the yards. We have reported the case to the metro police.
“We are living in fear and have young children. We have killed black mambas and puff adders that came from the property. These two properties could be ideal for criminal activities. I have contacted the owners on numerous occasions and so have our neighbours. They always have some excuse as to why they’ve allowed the properties to get to the state they are in,” said Clouston. It has been established that one of the properties belongs to Transnet and it was monitored by a security guard who stood at the gate. The guard confirmed he had seen snakes and rats inside the house as a result of the overgrowth.
Transnet did not respond to the questions sent by City Watch.
The other property owner, Elaine Visagin, said she had noted the complaints from her neighbours and would attend to the matter. “I had financial challenges, but I promise before the end of this week the problem will be sorted. I also wanted to develop that place, but experienced serious delays. I can confirm that by the end of next week the contractor will come and sort it out,” said Visagin.
ethekwini Municipality spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa said the respective properties were privately owned, therefore the onus lay with the property owners to protect their properties or surrender them to the council should they find them difficult to maintain or protect.
“The municipality does not have the power to act in the absence of an official letter, preferably endorsed by the court of law asking for the City to intervene.
“If a property owner requires the grass to be cut by the council, they have to complete the necessary forms and the cost for cutting the grass will be offset against the owner’s rates,” said Mthethwa.