Builders of illegal structures will be prosecuted
Many people in our towns are not adhering to the legislation.
The Merafong City Local Municipality says that it will take action against people who build illegal structures in their yards.
A municipal councillor from Carletonville, Mr Ben van den Berg, says that he has received complaints from several residents who are unhappy about structures being built in yards.
In many of the cases, the structures are make-shift rooms to be rented out. Some people also rent out their garages and lay extra electrical cables to them without getting the necessary permission and safety checks.
“We already have problems with, for instance, the overloading of electrical transformers and the sewage infrastructure in some areas. People who build illegal structures that connect on the infrastructure without the necessary checks and permission from the municipality makes this problem worse,” complains Van den Berg.
He supplied the Herald with photos of outbuildings next to houses in Galena Street, Nerine Street and Azurite Street in Carletonville that does not seem to comply with building regulations.
The Herald asked the municipality about the issue.
“In terms of the National Building Act, the applicant is obligated to submit building plans for any structures on site for approval.
“Should any individual not comply with the afore-mentioned, the necessary statutory notice will be issued. Should the party/accused not comply with conditions of the statutory notice, such a party will be liable to fines or jail time as may be determined by a court of law with sufficient jurisdiction,” the municipality’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Mr Temba Fezani, responded.
