The municipality has confirmed that plans have been approved for the Cashbuild complex under construction in Dr Jacob Zuma Drive in Grahamstown; however, officials say they have been unable to establish when this approval was granted.
The municipality has confirmed that plans have been approved for the Cashbuild complex under construction in Dr Jacob Zuma Drive in Grahamstown; however, officials say they have been unable to establish when this approval was granted.
Acting director of Local Economic Development Thembinkosi Sindani told Grocott's Mail Thursday 13 November that the plans were approved for that building, but not for the Makhanda Mall further up the road.
Both developments belong to Grahamstown businessman and Councillor Piryawaden Ranchhod. Ranchhod was, until recently, head of Makana Municipality Council's local economic development portfolio committee.
"The only thing that has not been approved is the Traffic Management Plan for that site because it is near the national road. Plans that are still not approved are the ones for Makhanda Mall," said Sindane.
On Tuesday, Grocott's Mail spoke to municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo whose responses to questions about the approval of plans for the new development adjacent to the Bloukrans stream were confusing.
"The plans are not approved yet. The mayoral committee deferred the item and sent it to the administrator to deal with," Ramokolo said. Asked why construction was in progress without approved plans, she promised to return with a reply. On Wednesday, however, Ramokolo backtracked, saying plans had been approved by Council a long time ago.
"The plans were approved by the council. It was my mistake," Ramokolo said.
She was not able to name the date of approval, however. The construction of Ranchhod's R20 million shopping complex started in July and is currently under way in lower Dr Jacob Zuma Drive. Sindane said Makhanda Mall, of which Ranchhod is part owner, was built without approved plans. Grocott's Mail contacted Ranchhod on Tuesday afternoon, but he referred comments to one of the town planning staff.
"Speak to [him]because that's an administration issue," he said.
In May last year, Ranchhod as joint-owner of Bril Properties, developed a shopping complex in Beaufort Street without approved plans or rezoning. The Makhanda Mall property has in fact been zoned for Special Business.
The primary use for this zoning is as a Service Station, with consent use for a Public garage. The Council said earlier this year that the matter would be investigated; however, nothing has been done about the matter.
DA councillors formally objected in Council to Ranchhod's involvement in a development for which building plans had not been approved. At the time the party's caucus leader Les Reynolds said the DA noted with dismay the allegations published in Grocott's Mail concerning a Makana Councillor alleged to be a shareholder in the company that redeveloped the old Albany Ford building in Beaufort Street without approved plans.
Another Grahamstown businessman, Rob Beer, told Grocott's Mail he was "seriously aggrieved" by Ranchhod's apparent lack of adherence to municipal processes in his developments.
With regard to Makhanda Mall, Beer said, "Some of my rezonings have taken six years – that’s because I’ve followed the proper procedures.
"Yet I’ve read in Grocott’s Mail and the Sunday Times that Councillor Piryawaden Ranchhod has proceeded with at least one development before rezoning or plans were approved.
"If this is so, this is a clear abuse of power, tantamount to corruption," said Beer.
