‘Illegal’ CBD panel beaters scrapped

THE eThekwini municipality continued to clamp down on dodgy businesses and buildings in the Durban CBD this week, issuing final written notices to six illegal panel beaters.

This comes just three months after about 270 socalled bad buildings and vacant plots in the metro were identified as being “unhygienic hovels” and “a breeding ground for criminals”.

Municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said this week that action against the owners and landlords of these properties — including court action — would be continuing.

On Thursday, as part of the council’s “Clean and Maintain my City” initiative, the panel beaters were given final notices ordering them to shut down.

Mofokeng said the businesses targeted this week were in Albert Park, which has become notorious for crimes that are fuelled by drugs and alcohol.

The head of the munici- pality’s development planning, environment and management unit, Musa Mbhele, said: “The business owners were required to produce evidence that their businesses are legal, failing which, those businesses will be shut down.

“If they persist in operating illegally, they could be prosecuted or arrested.”

The owners have 30 days to respond to the notices.

Mbhele said these types of businesses were only allowed to operate in industrial zones and the municipality would “never accept” applications for panel beaters to operate in residential areas. Albert Park lies between the Durban CBD and the harbour.

Mofokeng said the crackdown on illegal businesses and buildings in the municipality would continue.

“Our teams will go around the metro enforcing bylaws and taking action,” he said.

However, he would not name the businesses that had been ordered to close because, as yet, there were no legal proceedings.