DA to take action against illegal hostels in Boksburg North
Residential houses in Boksburg North are being converted illegally into hostels and slum areas in order to accommodate mostly illegal immigrants.
This is according to Benno Robinson, councillor for Ward 22, who said he has identified 86 houses that have illegally been converted to multi room hostels between 1st and 4th Street.
“These conversions have been identified without proper rezoning or building plans,” said Robinson.
“Most of these hostels have inadequate sanitation for tenants and refuse is also being dumped on the sidewalk on a daily basis and not removed.
“The hostels also make use of illegal electricity connections which not only pose to be a threat to the tenants but to the rest of the community.
“Some of the houses have been converted into hostels of 50 rooms, with entire families living in one room in some cases.
“This has resulted in these tenants living in degrading and unhealthy conditions.
“There has also been an increase in crime in the area as a result of these illegal hostels, in particular, drug dealing and prostitution.
“It is estimated that the landlords behind these illegal hostels pocket over R40 000 a month from tenants.
There are at least four land lords currently buying houses in the area. They are targeting residents who have been negatively affected by the hostels and offer them a price for their property, which is far below market value.
“However, residents accept the offer as they want to move out of the area as a result of these hostels.”
He said the DA knows the identity of these landlords.
“I am pursuing this matter with the Legal Department of the Ekurhuleni Metro to obtain an urgent interdict to stop this inhumane and illegal practice. ”
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