The couple, Annalean and Pringle Varden moved into 4 Boston Bend in Brackenham last Thursday, but they face eviction from the Department of Human Settlement
Annalean Varden at a window which had been welded shut
A BRACKENHAM family who moved into a house they claim was abandoned, say it was their last resort after being evicted last week from their rental property.
The couple, Annalean and Pringle Varden moved into 4 Boston Bend in Brackenham last Thursday, but they face eviction from the Department of Human Settlement.
They said the house had been left unoccupied for several months.
‘We have been renting for many years and went to the Department of Housing offices in Brackenham to request a house as we are desperate.
The house was found in a poor condition, with an infestation of bugs and cockroaches
‘We have a special needs child, but we received no help.
‘Being bipolar, our child is on psychiatric treatment and her behaviour patterns have been the reason for our evictions at every place we rented, the couple explained.
‘When we rented at complexes or outbuildings we have had to keep her indoors, but this still caused issues and we were given notices to move.
‘We needed a free-standing property, so we could accommodate and care for our child.
‘We have been monitoring this property for many months and found no one was living in it. We moved in after all our failed attempts even after numerous attempts to get housing.’
They say there are other properties left unoccupied for years while there is a desperate need for housing.
Some of the rubble removed from the house
Illegal acupation
Ward Councillor Leslie Joseph said it was illegal to occupy a government house for which people do not have legal documentation.
‘The matter has been referred to the Department of Human Settlement as they are the owners of the property. This couple took illegal occupation of the premises by breaking an entering and damaging property inside the house.
‘The department has since visited the premises and issued an eviction letter. They need to vacate the premises immediately and the situation will be monitored.
‘A criminal case has also been opened at the Richards Bay SAPS.
‘This matter was brought to my attention on Saturday when relatives of the owner were preparing to conduct prayers at the house and found it had been illegally occupied,’ Joseph said.
‘The current occupant, who survives on a disability grant, has been living on the property since 2005 with her mother, who passed away 10 years ago.
‘The initial tenant of the property, an educator at a local school, allowed the mother and daughter to share the house with him as he lived alone.
‘When the teacher relocated, they stayed on and have been living there ever since.
‘A relative came to live in the house but committed suicide last year, and the woman was afraid to sleep alone in the house.
‘She has been sleeping over at her sister’s house in Golden Fern, but she did not leave the house unattended and would go to the house daily,’ said Joseph.
