This emerged during the City Meets Business session held at the Kempton Park Civic Centre on March 8.
Presenting the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, Tshepiso Lentsoane from City Planning said the metro will address the land use issue vigorously as it is costing the metro a lot in revenue.
Taking cognisance of associated development pressures, she said the metro will set set up an appropriate Land Use Management System (LUMS) and ensure that each LUMS component will be able to function effectively.
Lentsoane said that a number of people have turned their properties into businesses without following proper rezoning processes.
“Sometimes people think that just because they own a property then they can just do as they wish with it,” she said.
“Illegal use of land costs the metro a lot of money as some businesses are operating without paying rates related to their businesses.”
However, acknowledging that some may be doing so due to ignorance, Lentsoane noted that the city will first go on a month-long awareness campaign to make people aware of appropriate use of land.
“Then, all who are found to be using land illegally will be served notices to comply with the by-laws, and failure to follow suit will result in some serious repercussions.
“By-laws transgressors will be given three-months’ notice to either comply or cease their activities – the law will be enforced,” she said.
Some business people in the audience slammed the metro for this, asking how will people know the by-laws as they are not even available on the Ekurhuleni website.
Another businessman inquired about the use of containers, especially when setting up a business in the township.
Lentsoane said, “The rules will still apply even with the containers. The zoning needs to be in line with the initiative undertaken.”
Questions around unoccupied land also arose and Lentsoane said those interested should follow proper application procedures.
