Owner thinks complaints due to race
A BUSINESSMAN believes complaints about his wrecking yard could be racially motivated.
Dunedin man Bilal Barekzai, a Muslim, established Kiwi Auto Parts in Milton last August before, in January, suffering what he claims was a raciallymotivated arson attack on the business.
Since that time, he said the Clutha District Council had alerted him to public complaints about the ‘‘untidy’’ appearance of his yard — complaints he believed were unfounded, and made with malign intent.
‘‘I’ve been told by haters they would make unnecessary complaints to get me kicked out from the premises using other tactics.
‘‘Prior to us, the area was used to park vehicles and was a messy operation, but noone ever complained. Why all of a sudden now?’’
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, who in January said he was ‘‘sickened’’ by the alleged attacks on Mr Barekzai, confirmed the council had since received complaints about ‘‘the aesthetics’’ of the business.
The council had some sympathy with the issues raised, he said.
‘‘I believe [Mr Barekzai] could have placed the storage part of his business more sensitively, and there’s certainly some frustration in council as we move towards a $2 million streetscape upgrade for Milton.’’
He said a compromise could be found, and welcomed further discussions with Mr Barekzai.
‘‘We want to support businesses, particularly in the current situation.
‘‘We just believe this one could be better screened in what is a prominent location adjoining State Highway 1, at the town’s southern entrance.’’