I REFER to the article, ‘Future of market hangs in the balance’ in last week’s Highway Mail regarding permission for the market in Botha’s Hill.
Once again our ‘selective’ City Council attacks soft targets instead of getting off their seats and apply the by-laws equally to all people and businesses in all areas.
Take a drive through the length and breadth of the greater Durban area including those areas that make up parts of the Ingonyama Trust. Look at the illegal businesses that are flourishing.
No plans, no rates paid, pollute as they wish, no respect for the by-laws of the City, the environment or the people that live nearby.
What does the City Council do? Absolutely nothing.
What makes these areas so special that by-laws are ignored?
Someone owns the land and that person is responsible for what happens on the land including local traditional leaders. Are the people who live in the Ingonyama Trust lesser humans that they have to be subjected to unregulated businesses that could pose a health risk?
Why are these areas exempt from rates?
Either everyone pays rates or no one pays rates.
The ratepayers need a legal voice such that they should be able to impose a fine on the city council should they fail to take action against any business or individual who operates in contravention of the by-laws. That must apply to any area.
Our current system of imposing higher rates on soft targets is just a cop-out for the City Council. Legitimate business is suffering and unless this is addressed soon there will be no ratepayers or jobs and we will be in just one big mess.
