By Rex Mphisa
MUNICIPALITY of Beitbridge Engineer Douglas Siphuma has come out guns blazing in reaction to the topical debate of Kwalu 2 houses whose demolition orders he signed.
In his response on social media he appears triggered by a Sunday Ziyah News Network article quoting Ward 3 councillor Takavingei Mahachi saying the city fathers are against any demolitions.
In his reaction it appears other administrative ommissions may be the cause for the demolition order and not just the location upstream the Gulliver Dam which many believe is threatened by the new houses.
Below is an unedited post from Siphuma.
Good Morning Colleagues,
Let’s avoid misrepresentation of facts and putting words into other people’s mouths otherwise the following are requirements for developments in towns:
- proof of allocation of land or stands to the developer
- an offer letter from Council
- a valid development permit
- Approved drawings ( currently the Director of Engineering Services signs these drawings)
- approval of the development stages (the building inspector is currently responsible or an officer assigned by the Director of Engineering Services).
NB
- The above requirements are applicable to everyone and every development, since time immemorial
- For the Kwalu 2 Dam 2 scenarios the above requirements were all not met
- The signing of an EIA must not be construed as overriding the above requirements.
- irrespective of who drew the plans, they have to undergo the approval process otherwise if the officers are on the wrong side of the law, then corrective measures must be taken.
- if the stands were allocated fraudulently then the law must take its course.
- if decision making is compromised presumably for having benefited or for personal vendettas then let’s recuse ourselves and stop tarnishing other people’s names.