Ascot Park residents in East London are proceeding with legal action against Buffalo City Metro, claiming that it is neglecting one of its properties and allowing it to become a haven for criminals.
The derelict house is situated opposite the complex in Beacon Bay’s Quenera Drive.
Bronwyn Batchelor from B-Batchelor and Associates, who is also chairwoman of the Ascot Park Home Owners’ Association, said they had taken legal action as there had been an increase in crime at their complex.
The incidents have been blamed on vagrants, who have apparently taken refuge in the house.
The house, said to to have been bought by the metro for close to R2-million in 2008, during the first phase construction of the Beacon Bay to Gonubie Link road, was left empty afterwards.
Vagrants soon moved in, with some of them removing windows, doors, roof tiles and garage doors.
Batchelor said the situation had become so dire at the complex they had been forced to hire an extra security guard.
An extract from the letter served by attorneys on BCM reads: “Our client instructs that your property has not been maintained and the building thereon is completely dilapidated and uninhabitable.
“The building situated on your property has been stripped by vagrants who are now residing on your property and causing a nuisance to our client in that the occupiers cause an unacceptable level of noise at night and undesirable smells are coming from your property.
“The property is for all intents and purposes a health hazard.”
Batchelor said there had been no response to the letter, served on the BCM on January 18.
Mike Godfrey, who lives across the street from the property, said he was at his wits end over the noise coming from the house, which had become an eyesore.
Godfrey, who claims to have constructed the house around 17 years ago, said it should be sold.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the house, a vagrant was sitting inside what was once the garage.
The house was stripped of all doors, windows and cupboards with the roof almost completely destroyed in one section.
Ward councillor Marion Mackley said she had sent numerous e-mails to Beacon Bay SAPS Metro police, land administration and public health and safety but nothing had been done so far.
Questions were sent to BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese who had not responded at time of writing.
Residents turn up heat on BCM over derelict property
The derelict house is situated opposite the complex in Beacon Bay’s Quenera Drive.
Bronwyn Batchelor from B-Batchelor and Associates, who is also chairwoman of the Ascot Park Home Owners’ Association, said they had taken legal action as there had been an increase in crime at their complex.
The incidents have been blamed on vagrants, who have apparently taken refuge in the house.
The house, said to to have been bought by the metro for close to R2-million in 2008, during the first phase construction of the Beacon Bay to Gonubie Link road, was left empty afterwards.
Vagrants soon moved in, with some of them removing windows, doors, roof tiles and garage doors.
Batchelor said the situation had become so dire at the complex they had been forced to hire an extra security guard.
An extract from the letter served by attorneys on BCM reads: “Our client instructs that your property has not been maintained and the building thereon is completely dilapidated and uninhabitable.
“The building situated on your property has been stripped by vagrants who are now residing on your property and causing a nuisance to our client in that the occupiers cause an unacceptable level of noise at night and undesirable smells are coming from your property.
“The property is for all intents and purposes a health hazard.”
Batchelor said there had been no response to the letter, served on the BCM on January 18.
Mike Godfrey, who lives across the street from the property, said he was at his wits end over the noise coming from the house, which had become an eyesore.
Godfrey, who claims to have constructed the house around 17 years ago, said it should be sold.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the house, a vagrant was sitting inside what was once the garage.
The house was stripped of all doors, windows and cupboards with the roof almost completely destroyed in one section.
Ward councillor Marion Mackley said she had sent numerous e-mails to Beacon Bay SAPS Metro police, land administration and public health and safety but nothing had been done so far.
Questions were sent to BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese who had not responded at time of writing.
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