Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad, this morning joined the Department’s Law Enforcement Unit in Glen Austin to meet with the residents association, after members raised concerns of illegal land use and illegal building activities currently taking place in the area.
Residents said they have tried to engage with the community to advise them of the correct land use and building control processes, but their efforts have been fruitless, as fellow residents simply do as they please and continue to build without seeking approval from the City or carry out activities that are not permitted on their properties.
Abandoned houses, unoccupied plots that individually owe the City up to R300 000, plots or properties being used for purposes outside their Land Use Rights, are just some of the other issues that have been highlighted by the complainants.
Another complaint that was raised was the overly populated church, with a congregation of over 600, that settled on the corner of Allan and Olifantsfontein Roads. Residents fear that the already existing pressure on the area’s lacking infrastructure will be worsened as the church seeks grow its numbers.
Glen Austin residents expressed their displeasure at what is unfolding in their area and said that the abandoned properties attract criminals who use it as a safe house after fleeing from crime scenes. Some were concerned that the illegal land use and building activities was going to affect their property value.
The Department’s Law Enforcement Unit has taken action against property owners who have been found to be contravening City bylaws, with some matters already at the High Court. It further updated the Glen Austin Residents Association on the status of the contravention notices, more than 30, that were issued for various land use and building control issues in the area in February.
Properties that were flagged as problem areas will be investigated and, if necessary, inspectors will return on site next week to issue contravention notices.
MMC Amad said the role of law enforcement in Development affords contraveners an opportunity to comply before it approaches the courts, however, some residents choose to ignore the City.
“Lawlessness of this kind cannot be left unattended to. Residents cannot simply disregard our bylaws and continuously avoid what is required of them. There are processes residents are expected to follow with the City, even if they are the property owners,” he said.
He encouraged residents across Johannesburg, who were not informed on the City’s processes, to approach their respective regional offices to avoid instances of illegalities that could see them in Court.
“We appreciate all efforts by the Glen Austin Residents Association to help educate their community and implore them, and any other institutions who are raising this kind of awareness, to continue doing so,” said MMC Amad.
End.
Media queries:
Duduzile Ntuli
Deputy Director: Communications and Stakeholder Management
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
DuduzileNtu@joburg.org.za or 078 097 3188
Poppy Louw
Chief Specialist: Communications and Stakeholder Liaison
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
PoppyL@joburg.org.za or 081 235 4999
