MARBLE HALL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) has raised serious concerns about public safety at Government Square in Marble Hall, accusing the municipality of failing to enforce its own by-laws, despite repeated warnings about dangerous scrapyard operations.
The DA says the municipality scheduled a formal by-law enforcement operation on 3 July 2026. The operation was meant to start at 10h00 and was set to target several properties including residential premises in Marble Hall, the Marble Hall Golf Club, the Buffalo Inn Guesthouse, and portions of flats and shops at Government Square.
The police and the Sekhukhune District Municipality Fire Department were invited to participate. Following the operation, assurances were given that a comprehensive report would be issued detailing all contraventions and corrective measures. More than three months later, that report has still not been made available.
Specific concerns were raised about the storage of tyres and other materials in the alley behind the corner shops and beneath the flats on the left-hand side of Government Square.
Cllr Flip Jacobs, DA Caucus Leader in EPMLM, says instead of seeing corrective action, the situation has deteriorated further.
“The affected building is now increasingly being used for activities resembling a scrapyard and a second-hand tyre storage facility. Evidence and reports indicate that heavy vehicle components including car doors and other scrap materials are being stored on an elevated balcony or roof-like structure that overlooks a public sidewalk,” Jacobs said.
He added that the weight of these materials raises serious concerns about the structural integrity of the overhanging structure.
“One of the shops is allegedly being used to dismantle and store gearboxes and other vehicle components. Used motor oil and other potentially hazardous substances appear to be flowing into the street,” he said.
Jacobs indicated that the municipality was again formally notified about the matter on 6 October 2026.
“The complaint was submitted to the Town Planning Department and was accompanied by photographic evidence. Despite the seriousness of the complaint, no effective enforcement action has been communicated to date,” claims Jacobs.
He says this raises serious concerns about the municipality’s procedures for investigating complaints, issuing contravention notices and ensuring compliance.
“We demand answers from the Municipal Manager and relevant departments to know what the findings were of the by-law enforcement operation scheduled for 3 July 2026 and why the promised report has not been made available,” said Jacobs.
He said the DA wants clarity on whether businesses operating as scrapyards or vehicle dismantling facilities are legally authorized to conduct these activities at this location.
Jacobs says the party further wants to know what internal controls exist to prevent improper influence, preferential treatment or corruption in municipal enforcement decisions.
“Public safety must come first. We are particularly concerned about apparent inconsistency in municipal enforcement. Residents and motorists are expected to comply with municipal regulations, yet serious complaints involving potentially dangerous commercial activities remain unresolved. The law must apply equally to everyone,” he said.
Jacobs says the DA is therefore, calling for an urgent joint inspection by Town Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health, municipal Law Enforcement and the Fire Department.
The Ephraim Mogale Municipality could not respond to the publication’s enquiries at the time of going to press.