Officials enforce by-law

THOSE who fail to comply with landscheme by-laws will face the full might of the law through its enforcement process, which includes a rates and taxes penalty tariff increase, and possible prosecution at the city’s municipal courts.

Ironically, this comes just after the city launched a new land-use scheme in February which allows for increased densities, spaza shops and other businesses to operate in residential areas – a move which caused an uproar among residents across the city.

Member of the mayoral committee for development planning, Reuben Masango, made these threats after he joined a multi-departmental land use by-law enforcement blitz, led by the city’s Region F citizen relationship and urban management team in Pageview, west of the inner-city, this week.

A number of building contraventions were identified and appropriate notices issued. City Power officials also managed to disconnect various illegal power connections.

“This law enforcement operation targeted properties not complying with the city’s building regulations, often allowing people to live in overcrowded, inhumane and unsafe conditions.

“Furthermore, properties occupied by more than the prescribed number of people add tremendous pressure to our already aged services infrastructure.

“Indeed, illegal building and land uses not only affect property owners around an area, they also have a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure overall,” he said.

Masango has appealed to all residents, developers and stakeholders to refrain from illegal activities, and play their part in bringing Joburg back to its former glory and to comply with all building regulations and other safety by-laws.

“We cannot allow law-abiding residents to be held at ransom by brazen criminality in their communities,” he added.