Uncertainty clouds Motala Heights construction
Although the owners of the property told the Highway Mail that they liaised with the community regarding this construction, the CPF members said no one knows what is being built.
THE construction which raised the Motala Heights community’s ire has been identified as a developing gated residential estate.
The property belonging to the Kanniappen Estate was a concern for residents who feared for the safety of the children as there were heavy vehicles working on the road which is used by children to and from Motala Heights School.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Kumeshen Govender said their main objective currently is to secure the initial boundary, clean the property and landscape the environment as the land neighbours the Tanglewood Nature reserve.
“The long term focus will be to develop a gated residential estate. All development is currently being done in conjunction with various shareholders who reside on the property,” explained Govender.
Regarding reports that the community was kept in the dark, Govender said he has been working with adjacent property owners who have been notified of the planned development.
ALSO READ: Motala Heights construction puzzles residents
“Many are pleased with the time frame within which we have completed the initial phase. We have also cleared verges and dense bushes and have also met with the local municipality and town planning departments to ensure we comply with all municipal bylaws.”
Govender told the Highway Mail the safety of school children and road safety is non-negotiable and will always be their main priority going forward.
“Most of our construction had been completed over weekends. Our focus going forward will be to clear bushes and verges on either side of the sidewalks as well as to landscape the environment to ensure we contribute to an even safer environment going forward.
He said after the Highway Mail article he made the initiative to contact the CPF and the councillor.
“Having grown up in this community and being well-known to residents, I do not blame the councillor and CPF head as they have only recently started in their roles – especially regarding engagement with this community.
“In relation to the school we will have planned discussion on all future construction taking place and we will ensure that this is done during weekends or school holidays.
ALSO READ: Thieves target Motala Heights School
He added that there is a planned Engen truck stop that is set to be built at the entrance of Motala Farm (Trafford and Motala roads) for which the retail licence has been approved.
“Hence I think people are confused. People within the community, especially councillors, should be more focused on the state of poverty and unemployment as well as the high crime rate Motala Heights has. My objective will be to work with these respective people to resolve the real issues of concern. In this regard I tried to meet with the DA councillor Marlaine Nair, however, she confirmed she is too busy to schedule a meeting with me,” he said.
Complaints
Ashley Govender from Motala Heights CPF denied that Govender has liaised with the community about the construction.
“Till this day, we do not know what is taking place on that property. On Monday evening, we had a community meeting and no one had any answers even the people living closer to that property,” he said.
DA PR councillor, Marlaine Nair said, “Due to numerous complaints from community members, I did contact the local building inspector concerning the construction taking place on the said property and was informed by the inspector that he had already issued a notice to the property owner to stop all construction immediately as there were no approved plans for construction.
“Mr Kumeshen was under the impression that the notice was issued to him on my instruction which is totally incorrect as councillors do not instruct officials but simply perform oversight,” said Nair.
She said she did agree to meet with the owner this week to explain that good works or initiatives do not exempt any resident from complying with the city’s by-laws, however he explained that he would be out of town.
Responding to Nair’s comment, Kumeshen said he was served with a notice, but it was addressed and he is now complying with the municipal bylaws.
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