A multi-agency integrated operation at one of the worst problem buildings in Wynberg has sparked renewed hope for the improvement of the area.
The building in Ebor Road is just one of about 19 in the vicinity which have been subdivided into multiple sections where tenants live in poor conditions with illegal electricity and water connections.
In the early hours of Friday October 28, officers from Metro Police, Law Enforcement, Traffic Services and the police’s Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), with members from the Department of Home Affairs, surrounded the building and closed off the main road to conduct the raid.
JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral committee member for safety and security, said several suspects tried to flee by jumping over the closely separated roof structures but through the use of drone technology, all were apprehended.
He said the properties of the area are already well documented as problem buildings and had been the cause of much frustration for years because they were used to form crude, subdivided rooms which in turn have been used unlawfully to sub-rent to respective tenants.
“Around 170 undocumented foreign nationals are currently being processed by the Department of Home Affairs and Metro Police K9 unit made numerous positive detections for drugs, with several suspects being arrested,” said Mr Smith.
Officials from the City’s Electricity Department were also on scene to record the conditions and remove fire hazards but a fire was reported at the building on Sunday October 30.
Ward 62 councillor Emile Langenhoven said the fire would hopefully fast track the process to have the building in Ebor Road condemned: “The building is a dangerous environment for anyone to live in and there are children that live in that environment which is really bad. It’s dark with electricity wires everywhere and anyone could potentially electrocute anybody to death. The department will be condemning the building because it is not safe for any kind of occupation.”
He said other buildings are on the radar and the City will take further steps to clamp down on these spaces.
Mr Smith added the owner of the building, Uli Heydt, was tariffed for not complying with safety regulations and owes the City multi-million rands and said the City is trying to seize the property to put it up for sale and hopefully refurbishment to accommodate for proper housing opportunities.
Wynberg East councillor Carmen Siebritz said owners of the problem buildings aren’t taking accountability.
“There is no pride, it’s become a monetary issue and in this case there were initially tenants but before the owner knew it was taken over by foreign nationals.
“We cannot have our communities imprisoned because of a few hundred people. The raid is a big step for the safety and wellbeing of our community. We should be able to walk the streets freely and not be afraid and looking over our shoulder,” said Ms Siebritz.
In June, Mr Heydt told the Constantiaberg Bulletin, Southern Mail’s sister newspaper, that he had extensive cancer. He has owned what was once Uli Heydt Butchery for more 30 years. He said he had once employed 100 staff in the building’s heyday.
He said he was owed about R2.2 million from the 80-odd tenants of his buildings and that was why he had fallen behind with his municipal rates.
