Concerns regarding the illegal dumping and squatting on properties on the corner of Ridge and Atlas roads, Bartlett, have come to light in October 2013, and still, the matter hasn’t been resolved.
Plot 57 is privately-owned with the owners deciding to take action to clean up the rubble themselves.
Plot 61 is the property of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, and they have referred the issue to the Legal Department that is responsible for the maintenance of the said property.
Residents’ biggest concern is the issue that has been going on at plot 58.
According to complaints, it seems someone has moved into a building/shack on the property, without any running water or sanitation, and started collecting rubble and rubbish.
At the same time, some levelling took place and truck loads of building rubble and soil were dumped.
“Our concern is the impact of this situation on the suburb, the health risk involved, and the devaluation of our properties,” says a resident.
“Given that the piece of ground is approximately five acres, it is only a matter of time before this piece of ground becomes a used car lot.”
Another resident has pointed out that this corner is now ideal for highjackings to take place.
Residents also raised their concerns about the rubble on the pavement, which is technically the property of the council and they are baffled at the weeds, which have been allowed to grow out of control.
Ward Clr Graham Gersbach, has taken up this problem with Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP), and says that legislation requires that a property owner first be issued with a notice, and the Council has to wait until the expiry date of that notice before any further legal steps can be taken to clear illegal dumping.
He also confirmed that the matter has been handed over to Ekurhuleni Municipality’s Corporate and Legal Department for legal proceedings regarding the dumping and the conducting of a business.
According to acting metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, they have managed to ascertain that four contraventions actually exists on the plot, which includes building without approved plans; illegal use of land (zoning); nuisance on the property; and lack of health facilities (sanitary).
“At this stage, some of the notices served on the owner(s) have not yet expired and we need to allow time for all notices to expire to proceed with an all-inclusive legal action,” says Gadebe.
“It is only thereafter that we will proceed with a High Court application for an order on all the above contraventions.”
