Surge in illegal structures in Giyani CBD

LIMPOPO – The Giyani CBD has experienced an increase in illegal structures mushrooming in every open space in town.

These unauthorised developments, which range from unapproved vendor stalls to non-compliant commercial buildings, have raised concerns about safety, urban planning, and environmental impact.

In response, the Siyandhani royal family, custodians of the land within the town, has taken steps to ensure these structures are demolished as soon as possible. Speaking during the Greater Giyani Municipality’s IDP representative forum meeting at the Giyani Community Hall on Friday, Hosi Siyandhani, Famanda Tshabalala, stated that the family has initiated a court process to evict all illegally constructed structures in the town.

“On November 4 we will be in court regarding the illegal construction of these structures in town. We don’t want them. They make our town look untidy and deter potential investors. We don’t know who permitted them to erect these structures, as we did not authorise them,” he said.

However, given the number of structures already built in the area and their value, it appears the chief may face a prolonged court battle from those seeking to protect their interests. The municipality, on the other hand, is also considering taking the same action against the illegal occupiers of land within the CBD.

Meanwhile, Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha said municipal officials are preparing to launch legal proceedings to address the widespread nature of this issue, to restore order and ensure that all developments comply with zoning laws and building regulations.

The mayor began her speech with a strong critique of the traditional leaders holding land within the municipality for allocating land without first consulting the municipality.

“Yes, we understand the bold action you’ve taken, but in most cases, it’s you, the traditional leaders, who create problems by randomly allocating sites to business owners without consulting us. Sometimes we just wake up to find a hardware store already built without knowing how it was approved or by who’s permission. They don’t even come to apply for rezoning with us; they just build whatever they want and only come to us when there’s a problem that requires our intervention,” appealing to traditional leaders around Giyani to refrain from allocating land in the CBD. As a municipality, we are also working on a legal challenge against the construction of these structures, as they did not receive approval from us. Regardless of where they obtained permission, there are legal processes within the municipality that must be followed before any structure is built in the CBD.  The entire town looks overcrowded with makeshift structures. It is therefore crucial that we collaborate with all traditional leaders involved to restore order,” she said.

The mayor said, while she understood that the construction of these hardware stores creates job opportunities for local communities, any structure built in the CBD should comply with municipal laws.

“The municipality needs to approve all construction. If you check, you will realise that most of these structures have been built in flood zones,” she said, adding that the municipality would want to evict all illegal structures. However, it is bound to follow processes before it can take any steps.

The legal challenges come as part of a broader initiative by the municipality to improve public safety, enhance the aesthetic appeal of the town, and support sustainable urban development.

Residents and business owners affected by these illegal structures may face court orders, fines, and potential demolition actions.

As the legal process unfolds, authorities are encouraging individuals and businesses to adhere to proper permitting processes. This development represents a significant step towards creating a well-organised and safe Giyani CBD that benefits both residents and businesses.