🚫CRACKING DOWN ON UNAUTHORISED LAND USE The City has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining order and lawful development by encouraging residents to report any suspected unauthorised land use in their communities. According to the City’s Development Planning Department, any person who suspects a property is being used in a manner that contravenes its permitted land use or zoning regulations is entitled to lodge a formal complaint. All complaints received will be investigated, and the identity of the complainant will remain strictly confidential. ➡️ Investigation process Once a complaint is lodged, a Development Compliance Officer (DCO) is assigned to the case. The officer will first verify the property's zoning and assess the land uses permitted in that zone. This is then followed by an on-site inspection to determine whether a contravention is indeed occurring. If unauthorised land use is confirmed, a contravention notice is issued to the property owner or tenant, instructing them to rectify the violation, which typically occurs within 28 days. ⏭️Penalties for non-compliance: Failure to comply with the notice may result in a daily administrative penalty of between R500 and R5 000, which is charged directly to the property owner’s municipal account. These penalties continue to accrue until the City receives confirmation that the contravention has been addressed. “It is particularly important that property owners formally notify the City once they have complied with the notice. If they fail to do so, they remain liable for any penalties, even if the issue has been resolved, ”says MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate, Ald Nomadlozi Nkosi. She added that in more serious cases, or where non-compliance persists, the City may escalate the matter to the High Court to obtain a court order compelling the owner or tenant to comply. The City appeals to residents to remain vigilant and report any land use irregularities to help ensure safe, legal, and sustainable development across all communities. ℹ️To lodge a complaint or find out more about land use regulations, residents are encouraged to contact the City's Development Planning Department, visit the municipal website, or call the City’s call centre on 0860 543 000. #compliance #cityplanning