The old entrance to Kariega has become an eyesore for those driving into the town on Graaff-Reinet Road. The abandoned petrol station, situated on an entrance road has been dormant for several years and sees squatters frequent the building.
The building has served the residents of Kariega well in past years, offering a petrol station for travellers in and out of town, a mini shop for those visiting Willow Dam across the road and a video rental space for movie lovers.
Ward 51 councillor Roelf Basson told UD Express that the old Quest petrol station has become abandoned for years now and that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has declared it a problem building.
“The declaration of this building as a problem building is subject of consideration of the Problem Buildings Committee, based in Gqeberha,” he added.
The current state of the petrol station according to Councillor Basson is that a follow- up had been made to the building inspector who issued a notice to the current owner, as it is privately owned, to follow up the matter and the owners requested a 60-day extension after the notice was issued.
“The current state of the petrol station also presents safety concerns for residents. The removal of the petrol tanks has left deep holes which have now been filled with water.
“Anybody that enters that unsecured property in the dark would find themselves falling into these holes. The general condition of the vandalised building and conditions of the site pose a serious danger, generally for injury to anybody entering that site,” Basson said.
“On a weekly basis, members of the public register their discontent with the fact that no tangible progress is being made to improve the situation. Apart from the appearance affecting the image of the town, the site does pose a threat as criminals are active in the surrounding residential area and then find an immediate hide- out there.”
To combat squatters frequenting the abandoned property, the Municipality building inspector issued the owner with a notice either to rectify the situation or to demolish the building; however, that was put on hold because of an allegedly imminent change of ownership.
To rectify the possible negative image this unsightly building is creating for the Garden Town, Basson has escalated the matter via social media as well as through the mainstream media as he believes that the owners have had sufficient time to rectify and demolish the problem building.
“Regarding criminal activity, the area is being monitored by SAPS but mainly under the watchful eye of the neighbourhood watch. These efforts are commendable as it involves private individuals in their own time to ensure that criminal activities are minimised as far as possible,” Basson said.
Concerned Kariega residents shared their concerns regarding the abandoned petrol station.
Zainab Brood said, “I am concerned about it being abandoned because it attracts squatters and shady characters who come over to Willow Dam, which is across the road, disturbing our family time, to ask for money and sometimes even threaten us when we don’t have anything to give. It would be great to see a child-friendly place there for those who bring their children to play on weekends at Willow Dam.”
Another resident, Thabile Dyeli said the once popular petrol station is a bad reflection of Kariega to those travelling into the town as it is situated at the entrance to the town.
“That petrol station was once one of the main stations in its time. Not only that, but there was also a popular video rental store that I used to frequent. The state of the premises now is shocking and is now attracting vandals which is a bad reflection on the town,” Dyeli said.
Basson added that after consultation with the Building Inspectorate, a 24-hour notice was issued on Tuesday, August 19 to the owners “to secure the current dangerous condition of the site by closing the gaping holes and fencing the property in a safe manner.”
“I wish to assure residents of Kariega that I will not leave any stone unturned to get this particular site cleared as soon as possible, notwithstanding the challenges that the legislation is adding to everybody’s frustration.”
