Mtuba Mall entry a concern for residents

ONLY one week to go before the scheduled opening of Mtuba Mall and residents are still fighting against the entry/exit via Msinsi Road.

One of two entrances to the mall, Msinsi Road is currently being widened to allow for the extra traffic. This is far from ideal for Msinsi Road residents as, according to their research, the road will be dangerously close to the existing sub-station.

Furthermore, this quiet residential part of Mtubatuba will become a thoroughfare for mall-goers and possibly delivery trucks.

Numerous meetings between Mtubatuba residents and the municipality have been held, during which residents opposed to the road works voiced their concerns over the legalities of the soon-to-be widened Msinsi Road’s close proximity to the existing sub-station.

According to residents, once road works are complete, the sub-station will be within four metres of Msinsi Road.

Moreover, the owner of a private residence behind the mall has reported sewage from the not-yet-opened mall ending up on his property.

According to another Mtubatuba resident, no letter for objections was issued to residents by the municipality before designating Msinsi Road one of the mall entrances.

According to an experienced property rights lawyer, if the plot of land on which the mall was built was previously commercially zoned, no such letter for objections is required.

Notices of intent are required to be displayed in the area prior to development, as well as notices in the media.

‘We want the mall but be fair,’ concluded one of the residents concerned, over the road renovations required for Mtuba Mall.