The City of Cape Town confirmed that the Bonteheuwel house that was boarded up by local ward councillor Angus McKenzie last week was a pella pos.
The City says the tenant died last year, leaving behind his widow who failed to report his death.
Last Tuesday, McKenzie and several residents boarded up the house at 7d Candlewood Street, which he said was being used for gangsterism, drugs and prostitution.
According to the City of Cape Town, the unit’s tenant died in early 2020 and no death certificate was produced at the housing office.
“Several visits were conducted to get the necessary documents to transfer the tenancy to the tenant’s widow,” the City said.
“The tenant’s widow was supposed to occupy the unit alone, however, it is alleged that several other people also lived there. Alleged drug and gang-related activities were carried out inside the unit, and Law Enforcement raided this flat several times in response to community complaints.
“All of the people who were found inside the unit were told to leave as they did not have permission to be there. The tenant’s widow also walked away from the unit.
“The front door was barricaded on 12 January 2021, giving the widow the opportunity to visit the housing office and when she did not, the windows were barricaded on 13 January 2021, as her whereabouts were unknown.
“As the tenant’s widow left the unit vacant and shows no interest in the tenancy, the City has to declare the flat vacant.
“The City’s Public Housing Department thus did everything in its power to assist the tenant’s widow.”