Residents in Bothasig took matters into their own hands recently to rid their area of drugs.
A dilapidated house where it is alleged that drugs were being used, was closed off with bricks, a step taken by the concerned Bothasig Residents Association (BRA), a private security company, Precint Response.
The BRA says to address the matter, they approached law enforcement’s problem building unit which did the physical bricking up of the house.
Mario Borchards, BRA chair, claims that the house was abandoned by the owner, and inhabited by drug dealers and vagrants.
Vandalised
“The complete house was stripped of electrical wiring and all fixtures, anything that could be sold. BRA contacted the owner last year informing him that his property is being vandalised.
“We explained to him that the house is becoming a big problem for Adam Tas Avenue, and the community at large,” Borchards says.
“The lane attached to the house was also in a seriously bad condition, and this was a health risk to the immediate neighbours. The neighbours complained about the smell that came from those lanes.
“Furthermore, the neighbours felt threatened by the occupants of the house as they would look over the wall. The neighbours have young children, and this is a huge security risk.
“This is when we decided to commence with the problem building process.
“We contacted ward councillor Miquette Temlett to start the process. Precinct Response also pushed the agenda from their side.”
Borchards says the house was condemned to problem building-status at the end of last year. The City of Cape Town however did not have a budget for the raw materials.
“The community then asked if we could supply the raw materials, would the City agree to brick up the house. They agreed and BRA then started fundraising for raw materials and cash.
“We received bricks from the community and raised R6 000 in one week,” Borchards explains.
“The Adam Tas Avenue community was desperate to brick up the house”.
The BRA, Precinct Response, law enforcement’s problem building unit, and the Adam Tas Avenue Concerns Group were all involved in the project. “Basically, the complete community chipped in.”
Since the house had been bricked up, things are looking better, Borchards says.
“There has been significant improvement. The one neighbour stated that they can sleep in peace now. It is much quieter now. The Adam Tas Ave Concerns Group keeps an eye out.”
The Bothasig Neighbourhood Watch also patrol past the house.
