Criminals invade ‘problem building’

WHAT was once a doublestorey mansion on Collard Road in Umgeni Park, Durban North, has become a haven for vagrants and criminals.

Ever since the death of the owner of the property, believed to have been killed during a home invasion in 2014, the house was deserted.

This led to vagrants moving into the previously upmarket home and stripping the building of its water and electricity cables, other valuables, and leaving it in a state of disrepair.

Soon the house became a hangout for criminals who raided other homes in the neighbourhood, and caused residents to live in fear.

The chairman of the local community policing forum, Brian Daisa, said he had laid numerous complaints with the bank that had previously granted the deceased owner a mortgage bond over the property.

“The bank delayed to act and this resulted in vagrants moving in,” said Daisa.

He said he also called on police to assist at the home, which contained the owner’s furniture and car.

The situation eventually improved when the bank brought in security guards to watch over the house.

That’s when the vagrants fled the property, said Daisa. He confirmed that a matter regarding the incidents of theft at the property was due to be heard in court later this month.

The local ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said the municipality had refused to classify the house as a problem building, which gave rise to criminal activity in the neighbourhood.

“The house had been stripped and was in a terrible condition.

“We’ve had the SAPS, town planning and building inspectorate officials visiting the property.

“We also asked for the house to be classified a problem building but the municipality said it was not in a dilapidated state in order for it to be classified as such,” said Ryley.

“But through Brian Daisa’s efforts many of the issues were solved,” he said. In a previous statement the municipality’s spokeswoman, Tozi Mthethewa, said they did not have the power to act in a private matter unless they were given such an undertaking in writing, preferably by a court .

She said the municipality regarded the following to be problem buildings, if they were:

Derelict in appearance or showing signs of becoming unhealthy, unsanitary, unsightly, or objectionable;

Abandoned by the owner, or appears to have been abandoned by the owner, regardless of whether or not rates or service charges are being paid. Overcrowded.

Hijacked.

The subject of one or more written complaints, charges or convictions regarding criminal activities being conducted in the building, as confirmed in writing by a member of the Durban Metropolitan Police Service or the South African Police Service.

Illegally occupied.

Having refuse or waste material unlawfully accumulated, dumped or stored.

Unlawfully erected or having a part which has been unlawfully erected.

Has been and its subsequent unauthorised.

Partially completed, or structurally unsound or showing signs thereof, and are or may be a threat or danger to life and property. changed usage is