Open field raises many questions

A piece of land once known as El Dorado was supposed to be a multi-million cluster complex comprising 20 townhouses, but now it is only an overgrown field.

In about 2003, 20 houses were built in Rooitou Avenue opposite the Rooitou Park, but according to Ward 126 councillor, David Brand, the building conditions were so poor they started collapsing and residents were forced to move out. Brand said that adjoining units started separating and eventually the buildings were demolished in 2004, when the residents were forced to move out.

Brand explained that they tried to sell the land, but that didn’t happen, leaving the field in a poor state and making it a perfect living place for vagrants and a field for dumping rubbish.

A previous owner of one of the homes, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the homes were not built sturdily. He explained that the National House Building Council compensated them for their loss, but it was not enough and he lost more than R100 000.

While visiting the field, the son of a resident who lives in an adjacent complex, said there have been problems with vagrants and that it’s an eyesore. “My father is actually planning to plant high shrubs at his fence to disguise the field.” Brand said that should he attempt to sell nearby houses, it would be very difficult as the field is lowering the value of nearby homes. He said it’s not clear at this stage how these problems came about.

An investigation into this matter will follow.

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