The Swartland Municipality has provided all owners amnesty to rectify construction that has taken place in the area without necessary approval.
If owners come forth before the 15th of February 2025, they will not be fined for illegal construction.
An amnesty period is from August 15, 2024, to February 15, 2025.
The Swartland is about 50 kilometres north of Cape Town, where four dams burst in Riverlands, back in August 2024.
The area’s big towns are Malmesbury, Darling, Piketberg, Moorreesburg, Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel.
The Municipality said in a notice to residents, it is calling legal owners of property in the Swartland jurisdiction, where illegal building work or extensions have already occurred.
In addition, the response should be accompanied by building plans for consideration and approval to the Municipality within the amnesty period.
“We have already received queries asking whether the rules and regulations also apply to informal settlements and informal structures. This is however not the focus of this amnesty. The main objective of the amnesty period is to ensure that all existing formal constructions comply with regulations and that there are approved plans on record.”
The focus is on illegal construction of swimming pools, boundary walls, carports, garages, additional houses/flats or any other construction on a property that requires approved plans according to the Act.
” All construction in South Africa is regulated by legislation. The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 stipulates that no construction may take place without the explicit approval of the local municipality. All construction must be based on plans that have been approved in advance.”
Approval of construction is essential for safety, spatial planning, uniform standards, environmental health, and suitability.
The Municipality also said once the amnesty period expires, the Municipal Law Enforcement Department will begin to strictly act against owners who have engaged illegal construction(s).
Picture: Mary Holland, Conde Nast Traveler