Ekurhuleni Municipal Planning Tribunal (EMPT) becoming a rubber-stamping exercise
by Cllr. Jill Humphreys: City of Ekurhuleni Ward 20 Councillor
Date: 04 February 2025
Release: Immediate
The voices of residents are becoming increasingly irrelevant as the Ekurhuleni Municipal Planning Tribunal (EMPT) is in danger of becoming a rubber stamp for developers, due to malicious compliance by city departments who green light projects, apparently without due consideration and balance.
Tribunals rule in favour of developers — often represented by town planners or even advocates, unlike residents — who often do not have the financial resources to afford the services of “experts”.
The EMPT is mandated to adhere to the comments rendered by the departments. These comments may not be refuted unless done so by an ‘expert’ /specialist.
A citizen objector may not introduce ‘emotional’ evidence; which invariably is the state of the infrastructure.
While there is a need for densification and increased housing opportunities within the city, EMPT outcomes should be balanced and take into consideration that a block of flats or townhouses immediately change the face and amenity of the area — which may be contrary to the provisions of the zoning.
In spite of the clearly existing strain on the infrastructure and meagre budget or capacity to address it, departmental officials heartily endorse new developments; not wanting to appear ‘anti-development’, cognizant of the development contributions that will accrue to the City on approval.
The result of this is behaviour and process is obvious. The same failing systems have to serve ever increasing numbers of people. To the gross disadvantage of both previous and new residents.
Water pipes burst and spew their precious contents into the streets. The degraded and potholed roads yet again give up their remaining remnants of asphalt as the TLB’s reach for the burst underground pipes. This is on repeat everywhere.
Equally concerning is the fact that none of the contributions that developers are to pay the city make their way back to the areas in which developments take place.
However, another concern is that often these developments go ahead without contributions being paid with little effort being made to recoup the funds.
The degradation of our City without in-depth attention to this essential balance, is having dire consequences.
Infrastructure and bulk services will continue to deteriorate and ultimately collapse.
Our rate payers will not tolerate this decay and deterioration. They will move away — taking their desperately needed rates with them.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will pose questions in council to ascertain what steps will be taken to ensure that the tribunal does not become a rubber stamp for developers but a tool to build better, sustainable spaces for our residents and to ensure that developer contributions are paid before the development takes place.
The DA will also continue to lobby for development contributions to be ear-marked for upgrades in the area of development.
Media Enquiries:
Cllr. Jill Humphreys
City of Ekurhuleni Ward 20 Councillor
082 450 0128
