Rosedale residents demand action on abandoned property hazard

A Kariega community in Rosedale voiced growing frustration over an abandoned property at 38 Tailorbird Street, which has become a health and safety hazard that the municipality has allegedly failed to address despite repeated complaints for over a year.

Last year, the UD Express reported that the residents described the property as a dumping ground, overrun by snakes and rats, and emitting unbearable odours – probably from decaying animals.

“This situation has gone on since 2023, and as a community, we are struggling to get this problem solved,” one anonymous resident said at the time.

Attempts to involve the municipality have reportedly fallen on deaf ears, with residents providing a reference number as proof of their efforts to seek intervention.

“We as a community urgently need to know what the municipality is going to do about this property. The smell is unbearable, and this is unhealthy and dangerous for us,” the resident explained recently.

Locals say the situation has worsened, with the property attracting illegal dumping, further contributing to the squalor and posing additional risks to public health.

“This creates a dangerous health situation – this house has become a dumping site within the community. It’s terribly unsuitable to live with,” said another resident, clearly exasperated by the prolonged inaction.

In addition to the apparent health risks, the property presents safety concerns. Residents reported exposed electrical wires linked to a pole near the property, warning of a potential power outage should the pole collapse.

“If this pole falls, the entire Tailorbird Street community will lose electricity. It’s an emergency that needs immediate attention,” one of the residents warned.

The community has now called for urgent action from municipal authorities to resolve the issue, citing concerns for their well-being and quality of life.

“As residents, we can’t continue to live in these conditions. The municipality must take responsibility for this,” said the concerned resident.

All the residents wished to remain anonymous out of fearing for their safety. “We have noticed that some criminal activities have been happening there now, and we fear for our lives. Something needs to be done.”

Despite numerous complaints, no significant action appears to have been taken to clean up the property or address the health and safety risks it poses. Residents hoped that by highlighting their plight, the municipality and relevant authorities would finally intervene to restore their living conditions and bring relief to their neighbourhood.

The NMBM was approached for comment, but after numerous attempts, they failed to comment on the matter.