An Extension 6 man under fire for operating a business manufacturing traditional materials from cow skins has until June to shut down the operation.
An Extension 6 man under fire for operating a business manufacturing traditional materials from cow skins has until June to shut down the operation.
Small-scale farmer Bonile Tyukana has asked the ward committee of Extension 6 for extra time before he permanently shuts down the business.
This follows a series of complaints about his business that neighbours submitted to the ward committee.
According to Ward 11 Councillor Mncedisi Gojela, Tyukana will be granted the time because he has to finish orders from some customers.
In their letters to the committee, residents claim that Tyukana's cow skins pollute the environment and pose a serious health hazard.
In an interview with Grocott's Mail this week, one of the complainants, who asked not to be named, said Tyukana's cow skins created an unbearable stench.
"We struggle to swallow our food because of the smell from those rotten skins, and we are forced to close our doors because the smell comes in so strongly."
Gojela, accompanied by some of his committee members, visited the house on Tuesday and put it to Tyukana that he must stop operating in the residential area.
The premises in which Tyukana operates are situated in a residential area with neighbouring households.
The premises also have a cattle kraal.
According to Gojela, Tyukana said he is currently in negotiations with the municipality about using commonage for his cattle, as well as his cow skin business.
According to Gojela, the elderly man has been operating the business in the area since 2009.
Gojela said according to municipal by-laws, no one is suppose to farm in a residential area.
Gojela said he would give Tyukana until June to remove his skin operation.
According to Gojela, Tyukana said the business was profitable, with customers coming from the furthest reaches of the Eastern Cape to buy his products.
