Lodge owner might be in hot water
BEREA – The owner of Lily Lodge might find himself on the wrong side of the law as the city confirmed that the lodge owner ‘illegally’ joined three properties, as the residents suspected. The residents also suspect that the owner is turning the lodge into a ‘Mega brothel’.
In North Eastern Tribune week ending 4 November, Chad Thomas from IRS Forensic Investigations, one of the people who uncovered these illegal activities and ensured that it was brought to the attention of the City of Johannesburg, said no environmental impact study had been conducted and changes had been made without council permission or community consultation.
The lodge is on Louis Botha Avenue and comprises number 42, 44 and 44A. An angry resident who didn’t want to be identified, stated that entrances to the other two properties were closed and there was one entrance and exit to Louis Botha Avenue which was creating traffic.
The resident said the city had put stringent regulations in place when other business owners were applying for business operation rights, but the resident alleged that the city was lenient with the Lily Lodge owner. He said the lodge had about 50 rooms with one entrance and exit point to Louis Botha Avenue and three properties were illegally joined, and the city was doing nothing about it.
In his response this week, City of Joburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said, “The matter refers to contravention notices notifying the owners/occupiers to submit a Site Development Plan (SDP) indicating the current land use such as a guest house, have been issued. Once the SDP has been submitted, the City will tie all three ervens and the boundary wall will fall off. Building plans will have to be submitted prior to an occupation certificate being issued.”
Modingoane stated that the inspection was conducted on 1 November and it was discovered that there was contravention by the owners. A notice was then issued on 3 November and re-inspection will be conducted in December. “If the owners continue to operate without the consent of the City, failing to submit the SDP as requested, the matter will then be referred to an external panel of attorneys for further legal action,” he said.
Thomas stated that he was satisfied with the progress in the matter. “It is heartening to see that the council took such speedy action following the story appearing in the Tribune. IRS has investigated hijacked properties, properties being used for illegal activities, council-owned properties that have been sold illegally as well as council-owned properties which have been sub-let illegally and far more illegal activities are set to be exposed,” said Thomas.
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