THREE RIVERS – The controversial padel club on General Hertzog Street has now been ‘legalised’ — more than a year after it began operating without zoning approval.

A notice in the Provincial Gazette, dated June 25, confirms that Erf 1259 has been rezoned from ‘Special Purposes’ to ‘Business 1’, allowing offices, shops, and places of refreshment.

But residents say the rezoning rewards an unlawful operation.

The club has been running since early 2024 without the required land use or building approvals.

Despite complaints, Emfuleni Local Municipality never shut it down.

Yet instead of enforcing bylaws, the municipality appears to have now rubberstamped the operation after the fact.

Questions sent to the municipality — including when the application was submitted, whether any action was taken, and whether public objections were received — remain unanswered.

“This business should have been closed and the illegal structures removed,” says Shayne Welman, a resident.

“Instead, the municipality signed off on a compromised gazette that destroys what little credibility ELM has left.”

In December 2023, Ster reported that the club had no planning approval. act first and seek approval later, with little fear of consequence.

Critics say this sets a dangerous precedent: allowing developers to act first and seek approval later, with little fear of consequence.