KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of Curlew Court in Meeu Street, Lower Old Place, Knysna claim to be victims of neglect by Knysna Municipality after struggling for years to resolve issues relating to maintenance of the building they live in, deteriorating health and safety standards, as well as overall security.
Valerie Bouwer, a resident of Curlew Court since the 1980s, said their situation has slowly and steadily declined, particularly over the past few years.
Curlew Court, which is a block of 24 residential flats, is owned by the municipality, and they are thus responsible for the upkeep of the building.
'Dozens of issues'
“We have dozens of issues which are increasing as the months go by. The building is deteriorating and sometimes we feel our lives are at risk,” said Bouwer, referring to a sink that collapsed from the first floor many months ago. “It just missed me, I could've been badly injured,” she said.
“A wall also broke down and collapsed, the stormwater drain is always blocked and a pungent smell hangs over the area. Most of the flats are water damaged. Our parking area is littered with dog poo and covered in potholes. One of the residents' geysers burst and it took the municipality five months to have it repaired,” she said.
Valerie Bouwer points to an overgrown bush which collects water and gives off a bad stench.
More residents complain
Three other residents also complained about similar issues, saying they are concerned about their health and safety.
“A fence used to surround this property, but it has since broken down and doesn't exist anymore. Passersby come in and out as they please, and so do criminals. A few cars have been broken into,” said Bouwer.
She said she has for years written letters to the municipality and provincial government, but receives little to no help.
The parking area at Curlew court is riddled with potholes.
“They don't care about us or our safety…”
The municipality stated in 2011 that they were to obtain funds from the budget to rebuild the fence, but to date, nearly seven years later, residents of Curlew Court are still waiting.
Leaking geysers damage ceilings and are not attended to.
Municipal response
The municipal response to the issue has not changed much. In reply to a recent query from the Knysna-Plett Herald, the following was received:
“In an effort to assist lower-income families and individuals residing in Curlew Court, these municipal-owned flats are rented out at below market value. During the current financial year (2017/18) general maintenance was conducted on Curlew Court which included plumbing, toilets and lighting. We urge the occupants to send their complaints directly to the municipality; the relevant department will then deal with these issues as and when they receive them. Maintenance work on Curlew Court will be effected in the new financial year.”
Bouwer says that promises are often made by the municipality but never kept.
“We've even written letters to the rental tribunal in 2012 because we don't really know who can assist us in transferring the flats into our names. That way we will be able to conduct our own maintenance and won't have to rely on the municipality. A window broke and it's taken five years to fix. How can that be acceptable?” she asked.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
