Family given 30 days deadline by the city

FOR the past seven years, Martin Lewison and his family have been “living a nightmare”.

This, he says, is because of illegal building extensions made by the controversial Gupta family to their multimillion rand Saxonwold compound, which has affected his property next to it on the northern side.

“For seven years now, we’ve been living with this very rude building right in our backyard. It towers over our property and blocks out all our light, our rooms are all dark and we hear every single word that is said next door. We can’t use our garden. It’s been a nightmare.”

But there’s “relief ” in sight for Lewison and his neighbours. This week the City of Johannesburg said it had given the Gupta family 30 days to submit amended or deviated building plans for illegal building extensions at their compound.

This came after it emerged the City of Johannesburg upheld an appeal by local residents who have waged a battle against the Guptas over the illegal alterations for years.

In the city’s communication on August 29, it tells affected parties that the appeal was considered by the MMC Development Planning Funzela Ngobeni on August 22.

On July 27 last year, the city’s planning tribunal committee approved a rezoning application by the Guptas to obtain approval for the illegal building they had constructed at Saxonwold in 2010.

The same application was rejected in 2013 by city authorities. In October last year, the affected owners applied to the council to appeal the decision. Then new DA Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba promised to review and investigate the circumstances surrounding the approval.

Tony Taverna Turisan, the director of legal services in Mashaba’s office, said: “Since entering office, Mayor Mashaba has remained resolute in ensuring that the rule of law is brought back in the City of Joburg.

“Ordinary residents of our city can rest assured that under Mayor Mashaba’s leadership, everyone will be treated fairly and equally.’’

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that by-laws in the City of Joburg are respected and upheld.”

PICTURE : SIMONE KLEY The Gupta residence in Saxonwold.