A joint campaign to combat the growing scourge of illegal buildings and land use violations across Matjhabeng has been launched.
This coordinated effort by the four DA-led wards (25, 27, 32 and 33), was launched in response to widespread complaints from residents who are deeply concerned about the negative impact these unlawful developments are having in their neighbourhoods.
Coreen Malherbe, DA chief whip, says that as part of this campaign, the DA has initiated a community petition that will serve as both a call to action and a mandate for enforcement. The petition will accompany a formal submission to the municipal manager, urging an immediate investigation into several identified properties that are being developed or used without approved building plans, rezoning permissions, or regard for municipal by-laws.
“Several properties have already been identified in each of the four wards, and these will be used to set a precedent through formal complaints, inspections, and, where necessary, legal action. The aim is to send a clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated,” she says.
Illegal buildings contribute to the collapse of municipal infrastructure, including overloaded sewer systems, which have already been declared a state of disaster.
The situation also leads to unsafe and non-compliant structures that pose risks to occupants and neighbours, they are a public nuisance, crime, and uncontrolled commercial activity in residential areas, and are also a complete erosion of planning and land use regulation.
