Picture: A piece of land in the heart of Jan Kempdorp/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for an audit on the sale of the municipal land in Jan Kempdorp. DA councillor at Phokwane Local Municipality, Annette van Wyk, alleged that almost a decade ago, the municipality sold the park made up of between six and eight stands in total.
Van Wyk alleged that, now there is an illegal development on a green zone in the middle of Jan Kempdorp that looks set to expand. She further said, that despite the land requiring rezoning, no public participation ever took place.
“There is also no proper record of the sale, other than a cheque book leaf for an amount of R110 000. The property was not serviced at the time of the sale and the purchase was made on the condition that the owner would be fully responsible for servicing it.
“The owner would also be responsible for developing entrances to the property. However, a year and a half ago, a house was built on the piece of land that is still not serviced,” said van Wyk.
She added that, while it is unknown what type of sanitation is being utilized, a ditch was dug across the tar road, to provide an electricity connection. Van Wyk said there is no proof that the land was rezoned for residential purposes or that the electricity connection is legal.
“Recently, three truckloads of bricks were offloaded on the premises, raising concern that further illegal developments are about to mushroom on the property, which remains to be serviced.
“The community members have been seeking answers for almost a decade and have since initiated legal action. The issues regarding the property in question are not isolated. In another incident, a property measuring 1000 hectares, that was bought for R76 000, was recently returned to the municipality after the owner could not keep up with the rates and taxes payments,” she said.
Van Wyk said the DA has submitted their concerns to the municipal speaker and requested that an audit into all sales of municipal land, dating back over a decade, be urgently conducted. She said proper processes need to be followed throughout, otherwise the irregular sale of land may translate into corruption.
Meanwhile, the Phokwane Local Municipality spokesperson, Kgalalelo Letshabo said she would respond after gathering facts.
“I am in Kimberly for a meeting. The municipality will issue a statement responding to this and a media statement released by the DA regarding this matter after consultation with relevant officials,”
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