Kleinfontein and metro’s meeting ‘fruitful’
The metro, under the leadership of deputy mayor Eugene Modise, is speeding up the process to process documents and plans around the registering of Kleinfontein in the east of Pretoria.
A delegation from the Kleinfontein cultural community met with Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise at Tshwane House on December 10 to discuss the way forward on the formalisation of its town planning registration and administrative concerns.
Kleinfontein in the east of Pretoria has about 1 500 residents and about 650 houses. The development is controlled by Kleinfontein Aandeleblokmaatskappy (Pty) Limited, a share block company.
The meeting stemmed from an invitation by Modise to the Kleinfontein community to engage in talks and follows on several other engagements of the Kleinfontein community with the metro.
“I engaged with representatives from Kleinfontein to address longstanding concerns. This meeting reflects a commitment to inclusive dialogue and resolving complex challenges collaboratively,” said Modise.
He said the metro stands firm that compliance with its by-laws and planning requirements in all regards must be achieved in the shortest possible time.
“Non-compliance was not an option and co-operation of Kleinfontein with authorities is a prerequisite to achieving formalisation,” emphasised Modise.
He recognised the fact that the settlement has a substantial elderly and indigent population and that over the years, several attempts have been made to formalise the town planning.
Some residents took court action early in August to compel the company’s management and the metro to formalise town planning. The court ordered the metro to step in and enforce its by-laws.
This includes that the metro must act without delay to enforce all planning and building regulations, as well as ensure that the land is properly rezoned. Building plans must also be per legal requirements.
The parties discussed an urgent interim agreement with set goals and requirements.
According to Stefan Wiese, CEO of Kleinfontein Aandeleblokmaatskappy (Pty) Ltd, this interim agreement will also include clear and measurable milestones and timelines.
Both parties said discussions were constructive and fruitful, and topics included the establishment of a joint task team to be formed from representatives from both parties.
Metro officials have already started work in earnest to identify the challenges around the administrative processes of registering the town planning documents as well as the building plans of Kleinfontein.
The mayoral committee will be furnished with a comprehensive report.
A visit to assess and conduct an inspection in loco is envisaged soon.
Wiese said Modise indicated that he would like to visit the community and after being promised koeksisters, opted for boerewors.
Representatives from the Kleinfontein community reaffirmed their commitment to drive the formalisation process to completion.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding was extensively discussed in parallel to the interim agreement.
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