Construction sector calls for easing of red tape

THE construction sector has made an impassioned plea for an intervention to help ease red tape to boost the provincial economy.

During a webinar organised by the Western Cape Property Development Forum, the managing director and co-founder of Rabie Property Group, Leon Cohen, raised the sector’s “frustrations” with red tape and the long delays in approval of plans being experienced by developers in Cape Town.

He said these factors had an adverse effect on the sector, which was one of the biggest job creators to mostly unskilled people.

“The property industry is going through a tough period, developers are hanging in and it will take a few years to recover,” Cohen said.

He said approvals of plans by the City took longer than necessary and there seemed to be “lack of leadership” and “accountability” .

Cohen also lamented the rezoning plans that took up to 18 months to approve, IT systems that created “obstacles” instead of solutions, and “high property rates and taxes”.

“The hold-ups are frustrating – you have to help the property industry, Premier.

“We need your passion in this. We’re looking to you to help remove the red tape. While 20% of staff do work hard, the rest simply do not have a ‘how can I help you?’ attitude. There has to be a culture change,” Cohen warn.

The closure of the deeds office during earlier lockdown levels also negatively affected the industry, Cohen said, adding that in the two months it’s been opened it had to close six times due to Covid-19-related issues. |