Home News City homeowners call for illegal shack to be removed

City homeowners call for illegal shack to be removed

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Sol Plaatje Municipality says that a notice of non-compliance has been issued regarding the erection of the illegal structure on a municipal site

Homeowners in Greenside are unhappy about an illegal shanty that was erected in the veld near their homes.

HOMEOWNERS living in 2nd Avenue, Greenside, have complained about an illegal shanty that was erected in the veld next to an old storage facility.

A local resident, Estelle Anthony, said that the presence of the shanty was decreasing the value of their homes.

“The shanty was built next to a disused storage facility in January. The caretaker of the building is charging the person staying in the shack rent. Recently, two blue portable toilets were put up on the plot,” said the concerned resident.

“The other day I called the police because there were drugs, identity documents and Sassa cards found inside the shanty. I contacted the councillor and the municipality, who promised to demolish the shanty, but still nothing has been done.”

The councillor, Herbert Japhta, stated that he had reported the matter to the town planning division at the municipality for further attention.

“An eviction letter was issued and there is progress on the matter. Alternative land will have to be found for the inhabitants, so the process cannot happen overnight.”

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie said that, through the building control section, a notice of non-compliance had been issued regarding the erection of the illegal structure on the municipal site.

“The illegal occupant was issued with a notice on February 25 to demolish the shanty in the next 30 days. Moreover, the municipality is currently busy with an eviction process in order to remove the illegal occupant on site,” said Matsie.

According to the non-compliance notice, no building plans were submitted.

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