Bekezela Phakathi

Fred Robertson, the CEO of listed black empowerment company Brimstone, may soon be forced to remove portions of his recently completed Bantry Bay building after city councillors refused to grant an after-the-fact approval for the structure.

The seafront building, which residents have estimated to be worth tens of millions of rand, has been criticised by neighbours and the ratepayers association, who say that it affected their privacy and sea views and therefore depressed the value of surrounding properties.

Last year, Mr Robertson had a building erected that exceeded the three-storey limit imposed by municipal regulations in that part of Cape Town.

The council then ordered that occupation of the “illegal structures” be prevented and that demolition orders against the “illegal work” be obtained.

The building was occupied despite an occupation certificate being withheld by the council.

In an effort to avoid demolishing parts of the building to ensure compliance with council by-laws, an application for a five- storey building was then lodged, though the building was already completed.

Town planner Tommy Brummer, who submitted the application on behalf of Mr Robertson, was reported last week as saying that the deviations from the original plan were “desirable” and would not affect surrounding property owners.

But Bantry Bay ratepayers and residents association spokesman Barry Berman said yesterday residents were “upset” with Mr Robertson’s “complete disregard for the law”.

“We are very happy with the council’s decision and it sets a good example.”

The association said yesterday that it was awaiting the outcome of the city manager’s investigation into the entire approval process linked to Mr Robertson’s property, “and for the due process of the law to be applied”.

Belinda Walker, a Democratic Alliance city councillor, said yesterday that if the plans had been submitted for the building as it stood now, they would not have been approved.

Mr Robertson was not available to comment on Wednesday.

Source: Business Day