Fence in Fryer Road is legal
The fence along Fryer Road has become a major dispute for residents.
Franco D’Arigo, who is the owner of the property, says he had the fence erected as a precaution from squatters and that he is looking to develop there in the far future.
“There has been rumours that I want to make it a squatter camp, which are not true,” says D’Arigo.
He says he is looking to develop the land in the far future and until then, has erected the fence to clean up the area.
“The plan is to get a machine in there and clean up the area for future use.”
D’Arigo says residents in the area have been maliciously damaging the fence which he has to repair again at his own cost.
“I laid charges against these residents.”
At this stage D’Arigo has no particular plans on what he is going to do with the land, but he assures residents that it will not be an informal settlement.
“We are not there to damage people or to make it look bad,” he says, “the town is welcome to convene a meeting where I will answer every question they have.”
He adds that they only want to develop Springs.
Shadow Shabangu, ward councillor, confirmed that the area is privately owned from the corner of Clydesdale Road and Fryer Road up to Ermelo Road and says council does not have a problem with the fence.
“The owner does not need any permission to erect the fence,” says Shabangu.
There is only one condition to the agreement, that the owner must give servitude to the council for the municipal sewer line going over the area.
“The servitude line is usually 20 to 50 metres and the owner must give right of way for the council to have access,” he says.
He adds that the fence is the owner’s responsibility and is no problem standing up, but if it falls down it becomes a health risk and this is where the council and municipality get involved and contacts the owner.
