The Unemployed People's Movement (UPM) has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to Makana Municipality requesting all documentation that relates to properties owned by Grahamstown businessman Piryawaden Ranchhod and Bril Properties.
The Unemployed People's Movement (UPM) has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to Makana Municipality requesting all documentation that relates to properties owned by Grahamstown businessman Piryawaden Ranchhod and Bril Properties.
In a statement sent to Grocott's Mail the Movement has spoken out about a number of controversial issues that have caused upsets in the municipality.
UPM member, Gladys Mpepo, said in the statement that in the Council meeting on 12 March it was resolved that the Makhanda Mall in Beaufort Street, which belongs to Bril Properties, a company of which Ranchhod is a co-owner must be destroyed.
Mpepo said in the same meeting a resolution was taken to make the Kabuso report a public document.
However, the latter has yet to happen. The movement also raised concern about the appointment of councillor Paul Notyawa as municipal manager.
"The MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs [Fikile Xasa] and the ruling party instructed the Council to rescind the decision," Mpepo said.
Another key issue raised by Mpepo was the fact that Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and Council Speaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac were to have submitted written explanations as to why they must not be suspended for being implicated in corruption in the Kabuso report.
This was meant to have been done within seven working days after that meeting, Mpepo said the UPM has endorsed the call by axed secretary general of Cosatu, Zwelinzima Vavi, to march against corruption.
"It is very clear that we are dealing with hard-core criminals who are hell bent on stealing from the public purse.
From Jacob Zuma to an ANC local Councillor, they are anti-black," she said. On Monday 22 June, the UPM submitted the PAIA application.
In its application the UPM has requested copies of all records including applications, minutes, reports, correspondence, findings, recommendations and decisions in possession of the municipality (including its Council) that relate to properties, land and or developments under the control and or ownership of Bril Properties CC and which specifically relate to Makhanda Mall situated on Beaufort Street.
The UPM has also asked for any documentation relating to the Cashbuild structure currently under construction in lower Beaufort Street.
The organisation has asked for copies of all records including applications, minutes, reports, correspondence, findings, recommendations and decisions in possession of the municipality (including its Council) that relate to properties, land and or developments under the control and or ownership of the Pierre Ranchhod Family Trust and which specifically relate to the development of a Cashbuild on Beaufort Street.
In May 2013 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 motor vehicle service station, with consent use for a public garage.
The mall is open for business despite the fact that building plans for it have not been located, the area in which it has been built has not been rezoned, and no Occupation Certificate has been issued.
Makana Municipality administrator Pam Yako confirmed that they had received the PAIA application.
"We did receive the request on 22 June which we intend to respond to within the designated 30 days," she said.
Yako said that, should they not be able to respond within the regulated time, they would indicate accordingly.
"We did acknowledge receipt to the UPM on 1 July."
anele@grocotts.co.za
