EVANDER – Residents complained about an illegal ‘braai’ structure that was put up in the main road of Evander in front of the Old Mutual Flats because people are allegedly daily drinking there.
Ms Aranda Nel-Buitendag, VF Plus councillor, took the matter further and visited the stand at the end of September.
She asked the owner of the butchery if he has a permit to have a ‘braai’ on the sidewalk and although he said he did have permission, he could not show a permit.
Ms Nel-Buitendag phoned the official of Govan Mbeki Municipality who allegedly approved the stand and he said he did not approve it, but will investigate the matter with urgency.
However, on 14 October when Ms Nel-Buitendag visited the stand, the illegal ‘braai’ structure was still up.
Ms Nel-Buitendag contacted the municipal official again and enquired as to why the structure was still standing. He said another official gave the go-ahead that the structure could remain.
Eventually, Ms Nel-Buitendag was told that a final notice was given to the butchery and when she visited the scene a few days later, people were in the process of removing the structure.
“We as the VF Plus want to know why were the correct procedures not followed in the first place?” said Ms Nel-Buitendag.
The Ridge Times asked the communications department of Govan Mbeki Municipality for comment on this matter but they have not yet replied at the time of going to press.
