LIMPOPO – A dispute over land ownership has placed the future of a newly constructed fuel station in Giyani in jeopardy after the Greater Giyani Municipality allegedly refused to sign the occupancy certificate required for the business to begin operating.

The matter has sparked concern among employees, local residents, and political figures, with fears that more than 20 workers could lose their jobs if the station remains closed.

Sefiso Ndlamini, the site manager of the new Total garage, said the developers had complied with all legal requirements during the construction process and were surprised when the municipality allegedly withheld the final approval document.

Developer says all approvals were completed

“Before we built this infrastructure, we ensured that we complied with the law, and every other document that we submitted for approval was signed, except for this final document,” he said.

Ndlamini further explained that the development was intended to stimulate economic activity in the area while also creating employment opportunities for local residents.

Municipality denies claims of misconduct

However, the Greater Giyani Municipality has denied allegations circulating on social media that the delay in issuing the occupancy certificate is linked to municipal manager Vusi Khoza in his personal capacity.

Municipal spokesperson Steve Mavunda said the municipality was simply following due process after receiving complaints related to the land on which the fuel station was constructed.

“In response to social media reports linking the issue surrounding the issuance of an occupancy certificate for the new garage to municipal manager Vusi Khoza, the municipality states that the claims are unfounded, untrue, and unfair to the municipal manager,” said Mavunda.

Municipality cites land dispute complaints

Mavunda explained that the municipality decided to withhold the certificate after complaints were lodged by residents who claimed that the fuel station was encroaching on their land.

“Upon receiving a complaint like that, it is normal procedure for the municipal manager to pause and verify the validity of the claims before finalising a transaction of this magnitude,” he continued, saying the municipal manager was therefore merely fulfilling his duties as the accounting officer.

This, however, resulted in the municipality being taken to court.

Residents and organisation share opposing claims

Meanwhile, senior members of the Giyani Care of the Aged, which was cited as complainant in the case, also shared their side of the story. According to them, the conflict began in July last year when they attempted to develop part of their property into a sports ground.

“It was on July 25 last year when they came to stop us from grading our yard in order to develop a sports ground,” explained one member who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.

“They came and asked us what we were doing on their land, and before we knew it, they called in their own TLB to remove the fence on our land,” she said.

Court to hear matter in Mutale High Court

The matter was then resolved after police intervened. “That’s when we started seeking answers, because our land is not new. It was applied for in 1987 under the former Gazankulu government before the current local municipality system was introduced,” she explained, adding that the land application was approved in 1988 and the property was fenced in 1993.

Meanwhile, the matter is scheduled to be heard on May 19 at the Mutale High Court in the Vhembe District.