A number of vacant or abandoned homes and properties in Kokstad have become havens for vagrants and criminal activity.
This according to local law enforcement who raided one such property over the weekend, finding no less than 20 vagrants in a two roomed structure, along with suspected stolen items and drugs.
At least five such abandoned structures or vacant properties and homes have been identified as possible havens for criminal activities. The properties are owned by private individuals who either live elsewhere or have abandoned the property due to unpaid taxes or a lack of funds to develop or repair said properties.
Communities are calling for demolition of such structures, however that is easier said than done.
According to Greater Kokstad Municipality spokesperson, Zolani Siqwayi, the municipality cannot intervene currently and that the responsibility still falls to the owners.
“As the Municipality we have approved a By-Law on land use and deserted properties. However, we can’t implement the by-law for now as we are waiting for Province and National government to Gazette it to make it a law. So as things stand, where there is criminality involved, the matter falls with the ambit of the SAPS. The registered owner of the property remains the primary responsibility for securing and managing his or her property and taking appropriate legal action,” says Siqwayi.
In addition it has been established that even if a structure is demolished, the vagrants simply move to the next vacant structure.
- A vacant property raided by law enforcement over the weekend found no less than 20 vagrants occupying the structure.
