What were once quiet, close-knit suburbs in the Moot are now at the centre of a growing battle between residents, developers, and the metro.

Residents of East Lynne, Jan Niemand Park, Riviera, and Rietfontein have raised serious concerns over what they describe as rampant and unchecked overdevelopment that is threatening the areas’ liveability, safety, and infrastructure.

What began as isolated construction projects in these historically residential areas has mushroomed into dense, high-impact developments, often with little regard for zoning laws, environmental regulations, or community consultation.

Residents argue that the sudden influx of multi-family dwellings and rental units, often squeezed onto single residential plots, is pushing outdated infrastructure to the brink.

On some streets in Jan Niemand Park and East Lynne, residents describe a scene of disruption as well.

“We hardly sleep at night with trucks and building noise. Our kids play next to rubble and dust,” said one Jan Niemand Park resident.

According to this resident, blocked stormwater drains, raw sewage leaks, illegal dumping, and deteriorating road conditions have become part of their daily life.

These issues, residents say, are directly linked to the over-development of properties that were never intended to support multiple households.

In some cases, as many as seven families are crammed onto a single Jan Niemand Park plot designed for one household, resulting in overflowing sewage systems, frequent water supply interruptions, and increased traffic and noise.

Residents and civic groups have conducted their own investigations into the developments and claim that many developers proceed without proper zoning changes, approved building plans, or any form of environmental compliance.

Long-time homeowners say they have been excluded by the metro from planning decisions that directly affect their homes and neighbourhoods.

Despite repeated complaints to city officials and demands for zoning reviews, residents say they feel ignored.

In East Lynne, one of the main properties that complaints are being lodged against is in Meeu Street.

Noel Maraule, the owner of this property in Meeu Street, as well as properties in Swaan and Stegmann streets, confirmed that he has submitted plans for the developments on these properties.

He said that currently, more than one family is renting rooms on the Meeu Street property.

“I have stopped construction on the Meeu Street property since last year when neighbours started complaining,” he said. “I do not know what the nature of these complaints is because they do not discuss it with me.”

He added that the buildings on Swaan and Stegmann streets were altered some time ago and that plans for those have also been submitted to the municipality.

A similar pattern is emerging in Riviera and Rietfontein, where residents have taken legal steps in response to rezoning applications for high-density developments in Malan and Lys streets.

According to objectors, the applications claim the properties are meant for student housing, but an independent investigation by residents revealed that the units are primarily occupied by single-parent households.

Complaints include overflowing sewage due to overpopulation on the plots, as well as strain on roads and utility services already in disrepair.

In their formal objections to the metro, residents warned that the area cannot handle the additional pressure densification brings, and called for a halt to the developments until proper infrastructure upgrades are put in place.

Ward 53 councillor Wayne Helfrich, whose ward includes the affected streets, acknowledged that these developments pose a serious concern.

“Multiple household developments in the Moot in general, including Ward 53, are of serious concern,” said Helfrich.

“While urbanisation is necessary and people deserve to live close to their work, the sad reality is that water, sewerage, electricity and road infrastructure are already under excessive strain and decades behind in maintenance.”

He stated that he objects to any business or private development within his ward unless the metro and developer provide a clear and sustainable plan that includes the upgrading and maintenance of the relevant metro services.

Mike van der Merwe, a city planner overseeing the owner’s rezoning applications in Riviera and Rietfontein that residents objected to, told Rekord that the applications are in line with the metro’s densification policy for Region 3.

“The applications for both plots have been submitted. Public participation processes have been completed, and as per the by-laws, copies of the rezoning documents have been provided to any objector upon request,” he explained.

According to Van der Merwe, the process is now at the stage where objectors’ concerns and the applicant’s responses are being reviewed by the metro, which will then assess the matter in terms of policy, objections, and service capacity.

The metro was timeously approached for comment, but none had been received by publication.

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