A ‘complex’ problem
Not long before they were warned, Devadasan said they later had an experience which reminded them of the warning.
A tenant has accused the management of a complex of racism, following alleged victimisation.
The aggrieved tenant, Terence Devadasan, told Northsider that since moving into the Castle Pines Complex in Honeydew Ridge about two years ago, he and his family have constantly been threatened.
“When we first arrived as tenants about two years ago, we were told by neighbours that there was extreme racism in the complex,” he said.
It wasn’t very long until they had an experience that reminded them of the warning.
Also Read:
https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/253442/new-spar-boss-accused-of-racism/
“We experienced racism first-hand when a man living [a block away] attempted to run over my 11-year-old son with his bakkie, simply because he felt inconvenienced by my son who was walking along the common property paving,” he said.
“When I confronted the man, he brought three other men and tried to break down my front door in an attempt to get in and attack me and my family. As a result, my door was damaged,” he said, adding that he resorted to opening a case against the men.
He said police arrived at the complex to arrest the man, but were denied entry to the property.
Honeydew Police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan, confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property is under investigation.
Devadasan said the victimisation did not end there. He alleged that his son and a couple of friends were walking past the driveway leading to another unit when the resident confronted them and accused them of stalking her.
“She came to my door to complain, saying that the children are not allowed to walk past or talk near her unit. I then said that she was being paranoid and that the children were well within their rights to be walking and talking in broad daylight and were not breaking any rules,” he went on.
“There are no facilities for children in the complex and all they can do for outdoor recreation is walk around the place,” he claimed.
He said the woman did not take this well at all. He alleged further that she had contacted her landlord and was plotting to evict them.
“The chairperson of the body corporate has since contacted my landlady and told her that either she evicts us by the end of November 2019 or they will slap her with legal costs, as they were seeking legal assistance to get us kicked out,” he stated.
Devadasan said he approached the managing agents, whom he claims were no help. “When I approached Le Frezelle (the managing agents) of Castle Pines, they told me that they do not communicate with tenants – they only communicate with owners.”
Devadasan said he felt like he was living in the past, when most people were openly racist.
When asked why he doesn’t just move out, he responded: “I am a paying tenant, and I don’t want to move. I cannot get a bond to buy a property as my former business partner committed fraud using my name several years ago, and I have been blacklisted for something I had nothing to do with”.
Le Frezelle was approached for comment, but had not responded by the time of writing, in spite of having engaged with their lawyers.
This is a developing story – an update will be published once more information is made available.
