Illegal land, construction in Tshwane raise alarm
20-11-2024
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Pretoria Rekord
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The metro cautions against the dangers of building without adhering to the city's regulations and guidelines for zoning and building plans.
The Tshwane metro has warned all individuals and entities engaging in unlawful building construction activities to halt immediately.
The metro cautions against the dangers of building without adhering to city regulations and guidelines for zoning and building plans.
The metro said it was concerned about the continued unauthorised building developments.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the continued practices of illegal land and building developments undermine the city’s regulations and guidelines for zoning and building plans.
“We would like to warn everyone engaging in these illegal practices to refrain from building illegally without getting proper building plans, or proper land zoning. We are gravely concerned about the continued illegal land and building developments.”
Mashigo said the consequences of not following proper procedure can lead to prosecution or the demolition of the building.
“If found in contravention of the building regulations, the city serves you with contravention notices. The city has the matter referred to the municipal court for prosecution and where necessary to the high court to obtain inter alia a demolition order to have the buildings demolished,” Mashigo said.
Mashigo added that to remedy this growing land use contravention challenge, the city established two service “mailboxes” where any illegal land use or building operation can be reported.
“Land use contraventions activities can be reported to landusecontraventions@tshwane.gov.za and illegal building activities to bpcontraventions@tshwane.gov.za.”
He said furthermore, law enforcement including criminal prosecution and seeking a high court interdict are also available within the resources available.
He advised entities and individuals to follow proper procedures before land use or construction.
“The process of applying for building plans is captured in the National Building Regulations and Standards Act, 103 of 1977.”
He added that any person wanting to submit a building plan may attend to their closest regional municipal offices for assistance.
“The process for the submission of a land development application is as per the Land Use Management By-law, 2016 (Amended 2024), which has detailed and extensive information on the process to be followed.”
Mashigo said a copy of a guide through the process can be obtained from the offices of the City of Tshwane (City Planning and Development) within the regional municipal offices.
Mashigo said it would be a sad day for the individuals engaging in these practices when the metro demolishes those structures and is fined heavily.
“Contravention notices will be served till it enables us to prosecute those involved.”
He said the city will not tolerate any land grab, illegal land and construction.
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