Municipality demolishes illegally built structures
Owners had failed to get building plans approved by EMLM
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) demolished six illegally built structures inside Jackson Nsereko’s yard on the corner of Bachelor and Van Riebeeck streets in Top Town on Tuesday.
The decision to demolish the structures came after the municipality noticed that structures were built inside the yard which are not part of the property’s plans.
On Tuesday, the municipality was going to demolish six of the structures at the premises, however, they demolished four and left the walls which were part of the main house.
Two of the structures that were demolished were rented out by the family.
According to EMLM spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa, the municipality demolished only structures that were built without the municipal approval.
“When you want to build something in your yard, you need to go to the municipality with the plan where it will be decided to either accept it or make alterations.”
Kowa said the family hadn’t followed legal processes.
“We also received complaints from the neighbours about other things that were done inside the yard such as keeping old cars that end up infested by rats.
“The municipality decided to come and have a word with the owner and demolish the structures,” Kowa said.
Kowa further explained that the owner refused to demolish any structure in the yard and the municipality resorted to court.
“A judgment by the
Makhanda High Court came out in June this year, telling the owner to demolish the structures. We gave them the opportunity to demolish them but they did not,” he said.
He said they also showed leniency when they gave the owner 10 days to demolish the
structures themselves before the municipality did so.
“We demolished the illegal structures.
“We managed to demolish the guard house, a flat and another house that was at the back. We hope this will be a lesson to other home owners as well because when anyone wishes to make changes to his/her yard, that person must make a plan and produce it to the municipality before commencing any building,” Kowa said.
One of the tenants whose flat was demolished, Mureed
Lucas said: “The landlord called me to say there’s a problem at home. A week ago, she also called to say we must open the place because there was something wrong with the electricity.
“She didn’t inform me about the demolition order.
“When I moved into this place I was not informed of anything of this nature and I have been staying here for three months.”
Lucas said he had to borrow a car to rush to his flat after he got a call from the landlord to inform him that people were going to demolish his flat.
“Half of my clothing and my bed are under the rubble. I don’t have a place to sleep. All my stuff is damaged and who is going to pay for all of that?
“I was never informed of this and I never even signed a lease form for this place,” he said.
He said he was going to open a case against the landlord as she kept the demolition a secret from them.
“I am opening a case again my landlord because it is her responsibility to see if everything is right,” he said.
The municipality did not demolish two sides that are part of the main house where one side is used as a walk-in closet and the other as a lounge area.
The family was waiting to conclude a meeting with their lawyer before making a comment to the media.