Kaya 959 News Reporter
Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku lifted the suspension on issuing certificates of occupancy and temporary occupation.
Echeozonjoku is a member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning in the City of Johannesburg.
The suspension will come into effect from Monday, 3 January 2022.
The decision to lift the suspension was made after Echeozonjoku found that the corrective measures put in place to prevent fraudulent certificates from being issued as satisfactory.
A temporary halt on the issuing of certificates took effect on 17 December after concerns were raised by councilors, industry organisations, and members of the public.
Irregular certificates damage the reputation of the City and place the lives of residents and safety officials in danger.
An investigation into the concerns raised found that certificates were issued in the names of officials who already left the department.
Others were issued without supporting documentation while some were issued in 2021 but stamped with a date in 2022.
“It is my duty as MMC to serve the residents of Johannesburg and do everything in my power to ensure their safety. The temporary halt was the most responsible step to take under the circumstances, but I am now satisfied by the corrective measures put in place by the department, which included a thorough investigation of all certificates issued, the recall of irregular certificates, and stronger quality control measures in place,” said Cllr Echeozonjoku.
The authority to grant approval for occupancy of buildings and structures, she added, is delegated to the City through the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977, including fire compliance and environmental health.
“We can’t forget the tragic events of 5 September 2018, where three firefighters, Sphiwe Maropane, Khathutshelo Muedi, and Mduduzi Ndlovu, lost their lives in the line of duty while saving the lives of provincial government officials at the Bank of Lisbon building in the inner city. This building was found to be non-compliant with fire and other safety regulations, which means it should not have had a certificate of occupancy.
“One life lost due to any kind of negligence is one life too many. Corruption costs lives and I urge everyone to report any allegations to the City through the anti-corruption hotline,” she said.
The department is committed to resolving all allegations.
Unannounced site visits to properties that were issued with irregular certificates in January 2022 will happen to ensure that proper processes were followed.
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