Vacant houses cause concern among local residents

A set of vacant houses owned by the Stellenbosch Municipality in Onder Papegaaiberg are allegedly attracting looters and unlawful occupants. 

This is according to Thea de Koker, a concerned resident from Onder Papegaaiberg. The three houses have been vacant for almost three years, claimed De Koker, adding that they are causing safety concerns among residents in the neighbourhood.

A map showing the Onder Papegaaiberg area in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Google Maps

De Koker recently posted videos of the houses on Facebook to alert the public to the deteriorating state of the houses. In these videos, it appears that the houses have in many instances been stripped of cables, cupboards and windows.

De Koker also pointed out swimming pools on the properties that are full of algae and rubbish.

According to De Koker, the municipality stated in October 2020 that it would arrange for the properties to be cleaned up, but this never happened. The properties continue to deteriorate with no maintenance from the municipality’s side, claimed De Koker. 

“After seven months, nothing has changed at the houses here in Onder Papegaaiberg, and to date the mayor could not provide us [residents of Onder Papegaaiberg] with any answers,” said De Koker.

Houses to go on auction, says municipality

While the municipality currently owns the houses, it plans to sell them on auction, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality. 

“The process to appoint an auctioneer is almost completed,” added Grobbelaar. 

Since October 2020, the municipality has employed full-time private security guards at the vacant houses, in order to deter vandals and unlawful occupants, said Grobbelaar. 

De Koker feels that having to safeguard these empty houses is an unnecessary expense that could be avoided. “Our tax money is being flushed down the drain,” she said.

One of the municipality-owned houses, which has been empty for almost three years, has been stripped of doors, windows, tiles, wires and a geyser. PHOTO: Marianne Francis Stewart

In a written response to De Koker in October last year, the municipality indicated that the rental contracts of previous residents at these houses came to an end and were not renewed.

The municipality also told De Koker that the houses would be auctioned off. However, she claimed that nothing has changed as yet. “There is no specific reason for these houses to be empty,” said De Koker.

Security concerns  

De Koker expressed her concern that the vacant houses have attracted criminals to Onder Papegaaiberg. 

However, Sergeant Jason Rhoda of Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS) said that while Stellenbosch SAPS has noted an increase in property-related crimes in Stellenbosch, the increase was not area-specific.

“I can confirm that we have seen an increase in property-related crimes, but that is not specific to one area such as Onder Papegaaiberg, for example, but Stellenbosch in general,” stated Rhoda.

The vacant houses owned by the Stellenbosch Municipality in Onder Papegaaiberg have been vandalized and stripped by looters. Cupboards, geysers, wires and tiles have been stolen from these properties. The gardens, as well as the swimming pools, are in a terrible condition. VIDEO: Thea de Koker

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