Concerns about structures being erected on vacant land in Randhart Ext 2 have raised questions about property ownership, municipal accounts, water meters, and whether the necessary approvals are in place.

Some residents have approached the Alberton Record with concerns about developments in the area between Swartkoppies, the R59 and Hart Avenue bridge, and along Epidote, Amfibool, Jasper Avenue and Carnelian.

One resident alleged that stands were being offered for as much as R200 000 and questioned whether those offering the land had the legal authority to do so. Another resident raised concerns about “the construction of illegal housing structures” and alleged that illegal water meters had also been installed.

These claims remain unverified, and no legal finding or criminal charge has been made regarding these specific offers. Residents want to establish whether building plans, zoning permissions and other municipal approvals are in place.

The concerns come alongside an investigation by Izak Berg of the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA), who identified 20 properties in Randhart Ext 2 as part of his investigation.

According to his report, 17 of the properties are registered in the name of a certain organisation, while three are registered to individual owners.

The report raises questions about alleged property transfers, including whether the required authority and processes were followed. It recommends scrutinising powers of attorney, delegations of authority, rates clearance certificates, and transfer documentation.

One stand, the report says, appears to have been transferred from the organisation to an individual for R80 000 before being transferred to other owners for R450 000 in 2021.

Another stand is reported to have been transferred for R18 500 before a subsequent transfer for R800 000 in 2022. The investigation also questioned municipal accounts alleg allegedly opened for some of the properties and water meters installed on the majority of the identified erven.

Berg said the City of Ekurhuleni is set to remove the municipal accounts linked to the 20 properties and terminate the municipal services tied to those accounts. These are also unverified claims from the IRASA report. He said this would be followed by criminal proceedings relating to the alleged fraudulent documentation and transactions.

The report recommends further investigation.

The report states that its allegations are not definitive findings of fact. The individuals and entities linked to the transactions have not, based on the information available, been found guilty of fraud or other wrongdoing by a competent authority.

The Alberton Record has sought comment from CoE; they have not responded at the time of publication.

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