A LIST of 14 Bluff properties flouting land management bylaws became a critical topic of consternation at a community meeting hosted by ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois and Bluff Ratepayers Chairman, Ivor Aylward at the Dutch Club on Thursday, 31 July.
Du Bois and Aylward called the meeting after they compiled the list of properties with ongoing bylaw infringements. “What is at the root of attempts to bring closure to such cases is the convoluted and byzantine legal procedures,” said Du Bois.
About 50 Bluff residents were involved in the resultant discussion between Du Bois, Aylward and Abdul Domingo, eThekwini Land Use Management senior enforcement officer.
Domingo said non-compliance was the root cause of bylaw violations. He explained the procedures involved in dealing with by-law offences and said a culture of defiance was frustrating attempts to compel property owners to comply with land use management by-laws.
Du Boid added: “In effect, bylaws are being rendered inoperative because of bureaucracy and protocols. Tracking a complaint through several departments seems to ensure that it gets waylaid and is overtaken by events. This is not only frustrating but it is also fuelling the culture of non-compliance.”
