Swakop clamps down on illegal building activity

THE Swakopmund Municipality is clamping down on illegal building activity at the town.

Although current regulations, dating back to 1973, have been described as ‘totally inadequate’ to address modern building disputes, the municipality is to follow interim procedures to deal with transgressions until it adopts and implements new building regulations – ‘which could take some time’, according to council officials.Transgressions have been classified in three minor, medium and major categories – each claiming its own penalty that can range from N$20 per square metre per month (minor) to N$250 per square metre per month (major).Transgressions range from deviations from original, approved building plans; the addition of structures to approved plans; building structures without approved plans; to buildings over planned lines without permission. Residents who are ‘guilty’ have already been identified. They will be given three months to rectify problems. The procedure represents a new start for both the public and the council to rectify problem areas.Ratepayers have accused the Swakopmund Council of double standards over regulations in that some people were apparently given grace for indiscretions while others were heavily penalised.’It is important that any procedure adopted must emphasise consistency in dealing with illegal building activities. Consistency dictates that all building issues should be treated similarly,’ Council recommended.