Will there be intervention for Barry Hertzog Park residents?
‘I hereby confirm that AfriForum addressed a letter to the Newcastle Municipality regarding the illegal communal house in Barry Hertzog Park. AfriForum requested the municipality furnish us with copies of the written authority to the property owners to run a home based business.’
In a media briefing held on January 21, Mayor Afzul Rehman addressed the concerns of disgruntled Barry Hertzog Park residents. “We have read in media reports that the residents are up in arms,” he began. “We too have received complaints from the residents.”
According to Councillor Rehman, Majuba FET College is one of the largest in South Africa.
Students nationwide migrate to Newcastle hoping to capitalise on all the institution has to offer. “The spin-off of this is that people are providing houses or rooms to students illegally,” explained Cllr Rehman.
During an Exco meeting on January 21, a proposed commune policy was officially approved. “We have tasked the department, we have given them the strength to go out and police this matter,” he said. “There will be a full report coming to us, but we instructed the department to go out and rectify what is happening in Barry Hertzog Park.”
In previous editions of the Newcastle Advertiser, it was reported that the municipality is yet to respond to or acknowledge the community’s desperate plea.
On November 7, 2014, a media enquiry was sent to the municipal communications department to be forwarded to the relevant departments. The Newcastle Advertiser is yet to receive comment regarding said enquiry.
However, during the briefing, Cllr Rehman was assertive about his commitment to dealing with indisputable challenges faced by residents. AfriForum Provincial Coordinator, Chris Fourie issued a press release to confirm their intervention on January 28.
The statement read, “I hereby confirm that AfriForum addressed a letter to the Newcastle Municipality regarding the illegal communal house in Barry Hertzog Park. AfriForum requested the municipality furnish us with copies of the written authority to the property owners to run a home based business.
We also remind the municipal manager that he is accountable and responsible to implement the by-laws of the municipality. If the municipality does not respond to our request or set an acceptable action plan in place, AfriForum will approach the High Court for recourse.”
“Our message to the Barry Hertzog Park residents is to give us an opportunity to operate. We have concluded that there is no proper commune policy,” resolved Cllr Rehman. “We hope the newly approved commune policy will be policed in order for the situation to be rectified,” he concluded.
The proposed intervention will be explored in next week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser
