Mitchells Plain residents are up in arms over a derelict building that has become a hotspot for crime and drug dealing.
The fire-damaged building situated at the corner of Weltevreden and Cedar avenues in Rocklands, is believed to be the property of an unknown businessman from Durban.
Residents believe the owner no longer has an interest in the property, which used to house a supermarket, crèche and church and various other businesses.
The supermarket was known as “Laws”, and was owned by Pakistanis in 2018 when it burnt and then was looted on the same day on 28 June.
Rocklands Neighbourhood Watch Chairperson Cedric Daniels says: “We live around this building and have been trying since 2018 to find the owner,” he says.
“Sometimes around 2am, cars park here and have drug exchanges; they use this place to rob people at the bus stop. We want these people off the premises.”
Moegamat Abdullah, 60, from Rocklands, has had a stall outside the building for the past 10 years where he sells accessories.
“I witness robberies, dumping, prostitution and drug dealing here regularly. I used to stand in front of the building with my stall, but when it burnt I had to move over the road.
“People waiting for a bus or taxi get robbed here because there are no lights.
“Something needs to be done to this place. We as residents don't know what is going to happen here, it's been four years already, nobody is doing anything to this broken building.
“If that's the case then the City of Cape Town must intervene and build a rehab centre or new supermarket here.”
The City did not reply to queries.