City probe ‘illegal’ construction of Rembrandt Park spaza shop
REMBRANT PARK – The construction aspect will be investigated by building development management.
The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that they will investigate an illegally built spaza shop in Rembrandt Park.
This comes amid Greater Lombardy East Residents’ Association (Glera) laid a complaint to the City about the spaza shop on the corner of Jenner and King Edward roads.
In an email sent to Roweena Chetty, an official from the development planning office in the City, the association called for an immediate probe into the construction of the structure.
Abey Mamaregane, the association’s chairperson, said the shop is illegally constructed and it is against the City’s by-laws how it is structured.
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According to Mamaregane, the structure of the spaza shop is built over a servitude which is not conducive to such a building. “As Glera we are very worried about this and it is because the house is zoned as a residential area and not for business.
“This will attract a lot of traffic flow considering that there are no sidewalks in the area, this will cause havoc. Most residents have condemned this and want this spaza shop gone.”
Chetty said the construction aspect will be investigated by building development management.
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She said the City needs to ascertain if building plans have been submitted and approved for the conversion of the garage and then take the necessary action in terms of the National Building Regulation Act.
“We shall investigate accordingly and revert with feedback as soon as our site investigation has been conducted,” said Chetty in an email reply.
Mamaregane told the North Eastern Tribune on 4 June that they welcome the announcement even though the spaza shop is currently enclosed.
“We are told that the owner has been served with a stop order and, he is furthermore, ordered to demolish the structure.
“That structure was built without a proper building plan and we are happy that the City has acted on our request,” he said.
Details: Abey Mamaregane 082 429 6009.
