Police and emergency services descended on a property in Sixth Avenue, Boston, on Friday morning, 30 October, following an incident in which a person reportedly died.

A resident told TygerBurger that police cordoned off part of the road. An ambulance and additional officers also arrived at the scene. However, conflicting accounts have emerged about whether a death occurred.

Several years of complaints

The property has been the subject of complaints for several years, with neighbours raising concerns about overcrowding, noise and alleged building violations.

A resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, claims the owner combined two adjoining properties and developed several residential units despite objections from neighbours.

The resident alleges that the development deviated from the original building plans.

In one building alone, 17 people were reportedly living in four units.

The resident said people regularly moved in and out of the property, while noise and a persistent rodent problem affected neighbouring households.

“We have complained to the City about the rat situation so many times. Nothing happens.”

City accused of inaction

The resident claims repeated complaints to the City of Cape Town have gone largely unanswered. Municipal environmental health officials have also struggled to gain access to the premises.

Neighbours are seeking clarity on whether the property complies with its approved building plans and municipal regulations.

The allegations of building-plan violations and the reported occupancy figures have not been independently verified.

TygerBurger had contacted Bellville SAPS and Western Cape police but had not received a response by publication time. The reported death and circumstances surrounding the incident remain unconfirmed.

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