Municipal official in hot water

In spite of the extreme pressure on the existing sewerage and electrical networks in Ermelo, building sites where multiple structures are erected in the place of a single one, have become a familiar sight in town recently.

This proliferation of buildings has raised serious questions about the procedures that are followed or, as in some cases, not followed in cases where rezoning is required.
Investigations into this matter led to a building site in Fourie Street where a 30-unit complex is being built where a single house was demolished.

According to Town Services: Planning Section the municipality approved the plans on 22 May this year.
The complex under construction was built on a site zoned as Residential 1, meaning a building with an outbuilding.
How is this possible?

According to a company that deals with rezoning, once an application for rezoning is received, it is customary for a notice to be put up at the building site for a few weeks to inform the community of the development due to take place and also to afford them the opportunity to object against the development, if they feel the need to do so.

The owner of the property in question acquired the site when building was already in progress and, according to him, he received approved building plans from the previous owner and had no reason to suspect that everything was not in order.

After questions were put to the municipality on numerous occasions as to why the plans were approved in the fist place and voicing concerns about Ermelo’s sewerage network, the Department of Technical Services decided to institute a full-blown investigation into the matter.
In the meantime, the owner was informed by letter that he had to stop building, this after the building had been completed in any case.

The owner could not supply a copy of the letter, as his lawyers are dealing with the matter, but he made it clear that he is not pleased with the situation.
It is still uncertain why the owner had to stop building, as the person who deals with the matter at the municipality, is currently on leave.

Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman for Msukaligwa Local Municipality, confirmed that the investigation found that the Building Control Officer had approved the building plans for the development on Erf 446, without taking into consideration the requisite zoning rights applicable to the building.

“His action has therefore constituted a contravention of both the procedural as well as the administrative provisions of the National Building Regulations and Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977) together with the Ermelo Town Planning Scheme, 1982,” said Mr Zwane.
Due to the pending internal disciplinary proceedings on the matter, Mr Zwane said that he was not at liberty to comment further until the matter is resolved.

For free breaking and community news, visit our websites:

Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser & Highvelder

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

BBM – 2667A726

WhatsApp – 0748877590