City pulls plug on illegal construction

ILLEGAL building in Woodford Grove, Morningside, has been halted by the municipality.

Ward councillor Martin Meyer said he attended an onsite meeting last week regarding the dangerous unauthorised building work that was being undertaken. He said it was endangering the lives and properties of neighbours.

According to Meyer, the constructrion was first reported to him in July.

Berea Mail visited the site with Meyer last week. He said the plot had water seepage problems as a river ran underground and the angles were wrong for building.

“There has been no permission to build on this site . The excavations that were done caused a very dangerous situation. People living in the building to the right of the site had to be evacuated last week as the building has undermined the ground. The road above has started to sink and poses a danger, while the residence situated above this property has also been affected. The building inspectorate has looked into this vigorously and is trying its best to sort it out,” said Meyer.

A businesswoman who owns the neighbouring property said she had to dewater her property before building because of the underground river. Meyer said geologists had assured him the woman’s building was safe and in no danger of collapsing.

A joint meeting between various departments and the property owner and developers was held last week and emergency measures are being put in place to secure the site. He said the building inspectorate was involved, and this was now a legal matter.

“I can unfortunately not comment on the legal matters as the matter is currently being investigated,” he said.