In Klipfontein, close to Midrand, Johannesburg officials launched a multi-unit operation to demolish a number of illegally constructed buildings.In order to make room for a municipal project in Klipfontein View, Midrand, Johannesburg’s development planning department demolished illegally built structures on top of municipal water and electrical lines on Wednesday.
According to the city, a car wash and a vehicle repair shop constructed on municipal property were preventing access to water and electricity connections and jeopardizing the ongoing delivery of services to the neighborhood.
Several illegally built buildings on council-owned property were demolished by a multi-unit operation headed by the city’s MMC of development planning, Eunice Mgcina.The property is designated for a wellness center with a clinic on it.Although the construction is underway, the illegal enterprises that were intruding and obstructing the process forced the stop of work.
The city would no longer put up with lawlessness, according to Mgcina.”We are targeting all those individuals who persistently breach or ignore notifications urging them to adhere to our zoning and construction regulations — throughout the entire city,” she declared.
According to her, the operation signaled the start of a citywide drive to tear down any buildings that did not adhere to rules and zoning bylaws.The companies were demolished after the owners received violation notices from the city directing them to take down their illegitimate constructions, but they allegedly didn’t follow through.”People are still ignoring the violation notices that we continue to send them. They benefit from the fact that we are compelled by law to pursue every legal option, and these procedures are time-consuming.“These lengthy legal processes also deplete our financial resources which could be used for other much-needed services in the city.
However, we are determined to deal with transgressors and we are not going to back down,” she said.The department claims that fifteen more illegally constructed residential properties are currently occupied on the same plot of land.The Johannesburg High Court is hearing the case regarding these houses, and the city is certain that the buildings will be destroyed.
According to ward councillor Dimakatso Moloisane, the construction of unauthorized buildings is widespread in his ward.”Illegal buildings are being erected on unsuitable property by people. You do that, and then we get blamed for not moving people when there’s a disaster or flooding.Homes are needed, but we can’t let people build on property that isn’t right for them or theirs,” he stated.
A few residents had constructed their homes mere meters from the flood line, along the banks of a river. He said that homes could flood during the wet season. When we communicate politely with the communities and they don’t listen, it is depressing. I believe that informing people about bylaws needs to be done in an appropriate manner.
Moloisane continued, “Business owners who had built their structures on municipal water and electricity lines had been in regular communication with the council.”
