It might be cheaper and easier to cut corners but in the end, you will lose.
The recent judgment by the High Court in Pretoria against a property developer should serve as a warning to those who want to violate bylaws when building in Gauteng.
The court permitted the City of Tshwane to demolish a development in the east of Pretoria because of zoning issues and lack of approved building plans.
As the Gauteng department of human settlements rolls out serviced stands through its Ikageleng Rapid Land Release Programme, beneficiaries should not squander their money by starting construction of their homes before their building plans are approved.
Although the department offers beneficiaries five preapproved building plans to select from, it is not mandatory to use them.
A beneficiary can hire a registered person to draw up a plan for their dream home and have it approved by the municipality.
Already, the department has emphasised in its information sessions with the beneficiaries that the stands are not for business purposes.
When people start constructing their homes outside the pre-approved
building plans offered by the department, they must take heed of Kholofelo Morodi, City of Tshwane’s MMC for corporate and shared services, warning that the government is taking a stand and pushing back against those who think they can bypass the law.
It might be cheaper and easier to cut corners to construct your home without proper plans and not adhering to bylaws. But in the end, you will lose.
Just like the property developer whose property is about to be demolished by the City of Tshwane after a protracted legal battle.
***The letter was published in The Citizen Newspaper on 22 April 2025.
