Complaints after business ‘illegally’ occupies land
A LOCAL fruit and veg store, A-Z Distributors, in Barkly Road was issued with a directive to remove a makeshift structure and fence that has been erected around its business after it relocated from across the road.
It is believed that the business was only awarded a street vendor’s licence, while Sol Plaatje Municipality had instructed for the removal of all structures erected on municipal-owned land last month.
Local residents have complained about increased traffic in front of their homes, while other land applicants, who were interested in purchasing the land, are disgruntled that A-Z Distributors was given preference to occupy the land, which measures roughly 3 000 square metres.
According to the grievances, the complainants are also unhappy that the business has been connected to the power grid, while other ratepayers have to struggle for long periods before they are provided with electricity services.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie stated yesterday that the properties section at the local authority had not granted permission for the occupation of the said portion of land.
“The land has not been rezoned for business purposes. The alienation of the portion was also not approved by council for alienation,” said Matsie.
He added that the previous applicants, who were declined access to the land, had lodged complaints as they believed that the municipality had allocated the land unfairly.
The manager of A-Z Distributors explained that they were temporarily occupying the land and referred all complaints to Sol Plaatje Municipality.
“We needed power so that we can operate as a business,” said the manager.