Fed up residents in Kensington will be holding a street meeting with occupants living in a dilapidated building in 4th avenue and 2nd street in Kensington.
According to Mariam Oliver, the secretary of the Kenfac ratepayers association, said the residents would meet with the owner around the safety of the people occupying the building.

More occupants have moved into the rundown building and a crèche is being run there, which is of even more concern to residents.

“Only one department at the City has responded and said that they have been at a site meeting and that they have issued a notice on the pastor who is the tenant at the moment, in the absence of the owner, to stop all building works,” said Oliver.

Officials from the fire and land use management as well as the department of environmental health were expected to compile reports on the matter.

After a meeting on Monday 1st September, the community again alerted Kenfac of more movement in and around the building and people were continuously moving in.

“This evening the residents is wanting a meeting with the tenants that are currently there, a few community leaders as well as some community members so that they can explain to the occupants that their safety is at risk,” said Oliver.

“These people need to know that we have their safety and that of their families at heart and if this is not a call for proper housing then I don’t know what is,” added Oliver.

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town in a statement said it had not received applications for the rezoning of this property.

“But must be noted that the property is zoned for Mixed Use 2 (MU2) which makes provision for flats; boarding houses; place of worship and business,” the city said.

As such, notices have been served on the property to obtain written approval for the said work done and to cease all building work which is non-compliant. The City has given the owner 60 days as per the notice, after which if he fails to comply, the matter will then be referred to the City’s Legal Services Department for further action. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)