Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has finally confirmed that a court date has been set to force Lyndhurst’s ‘illegal’ motor mechanic to vacate their land.
The land is situated on the corner of Drome Road and Pretoria Street in Lyndhurst.
Jenny Moodley, the spokesperson for City Parks, told North Eastern Tribune in an exclusive interview that the matter will now be heard in court.
Read: City threaten to evict Lyndhurst’s motor mechanic from own land
It is apparent that the owner of the workshop occupied the land illegally without following proper processes and even avoided eviction notices by the City of Johannesburg’s entity, Joburg Property Company.
Last year, the owner was apparently served with a notice by JPC but refused to move, forcing the entity to take a legal route.
According to Ward 81 councillor, Irene Rugheimer, in a report published in Tribune, Week ending 15 June, the mechanic was defiant.
Rugheimer said after the gates had been locked and the vehicles removed from the premises he continued his illegal occupation. “He broke the lock and illegally continued to work on-site without permission given to him.”
After attempts to get a comment from City Parks in the past weeks, as the custodian of the open spaces, Moodley confirmed the case is now heading to court at a date known to Tribune. “A court date has been set and we’re going ahead with the eviction order.
“We, however, will not yet divulge the date but we can confirm that the matter will now be heard and decided by the court.”
Read: Lyndhurst Park to be fenced-off to curb chaos
Contrary to a claim that the owner was issued with a court order last year, Moodley admitted that it was, in fact, a notice of eviction rather than an eviction order.
Even though there are no plans yet to develop the land Moodley said City Parks and JPC will make a joint decision based on what residents proposed in their Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
Details: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo 011 712 6615.
