Several residents living in Disa Place, Carletonville – near Carleton Jones High School – have voiced outrage over the construction of a double-storey block of flats in the yard of a private home.

One of the most vocal residents is Dries Oosthuysen, who moved into his home on 1 August 2023.

“I would never have bought my house if I knew something like this was going to be built next door,” he told the Herald. “We are very private people and do not want someone looking over our fence.”

According to Oosthuysen, construction on the neighbouring property began without warning, prompting him to contact the Merafong City Local Municipality’s Town Planning Department.

“They initially told me the developer did not have the correct building plans and promised to keep me updated,” he said. “But I never heard back. Then, out of the blue, construction resumed. Neither my wife, nor I, nor any of our neighbours received any notices about this development.”

Oosthuysen says he is now considering legal steps.

Other residents echoed his concerns, claiming they too had been kept in the dark about the project. However, the homeowner, Andile Mdingaze, says he followed all the required procedures.

“I consulted with the municipality,” said Mdingaze. “I even hired an architect and a private town planner to make sure everything was above board. These complaints are confusing to me.”

When contacted for comment, Merafong municipal spokesperson Temba Fezani confirmed that proper procedures were followed.

“The property owner consulted with a professional town planning firm, Planning Excellence, to obtain written consent for the land use,” said Fezani. “An application was submitted on November 6 2024. As part of the public participation process, notices were published in The Citizen, letters were sent by registered mail to adjacent property owners, and a site notice was erected.”

Fezani added that the municipality received no objections or comments during the public consultation period, and the boarding house use was formally approved on 23 April.

“All legislative requirements were met. Property owners who wish to construct such developments must follow the procedures set out in Schedule 2 of the Merafong By-Law of 2020,” he said.

Despite the municipality’s assurances, some residents remain unconvinced, questioning whether the notification process was properly carried out or simply missed by those most affected.