Neglected property crisis in Pretoria North continues

Residents in Pretoria North, near the intersection of Stasie and Eeufees streets, say ongoing problems linked to a privately owned property have persisted since 2022, despite repeated interventions and attempts at co-operation with the owner. The stand, which locals describe as neglected and increasingly hazardous, has again become a source of frustration after what they believed had been a temporary resolution when permission was previously obtained to demolish an earlier structure on the site.This demolition was completed in the same year with the owner’s permission. According to community members, illegal occupiers have returned intermittently, and the property’s condition has deteriorated to the point where it is now associated with visible health risks, including rodent activity and overgrown vegetation.

Residents say the situation has become cyclical, with occupiers repeatedly appearing and being chased away, only for the property to fall back into disrepair. Long grass, scattered refuse, and stagnant waste have contributed to what neighbours describe as a growing infestation of rats. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told Rekord that communication with the metro has added to their frustration, as responses from different officials appear inconsistent.

The resident said the community feels caught between shifting explanations and unclear responsibility, while the underlying problem remains unresolved. Locals emphasise that their primary concern is not only the presence of illegal occupation, but the sustained neglect of the property and the absence of consistent enforcement to ensure it remains safe. Mashigo confirmed that an inspection had been conducted and that contact was made with the registered owner in the second week of April, instructing him to clean the premises due to overgrown grass and associated nuisance conditions.

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He added that, based on the metro’s records before the enquiry, no formal complaints regarding illegal occupation had been received. Mashigo explained that during the inspection on April 9, officials did not find evidence of human occupation on the property. “The stand is vacant and has overgrown grass, which may lead to rodent infestation,” he said, noting that the primary concern identified by officials was environmental rather than residential.

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