The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) condemns the Johannesburg Metro Council’s ongoing failure to properly manage building plans, land-use systems and the city’s archives.
The result is a city administration that inflicts serious harm on ordinary homeowners, property developers and small businesses through delays, additional costs and legal uncertainty.
Reports indicate that the city’s planning and record systems are frequently inaccessible, old planning records are mismanaged and thousands of building-plan applications are backlogged – with real financial consequences for residents.
The city’s land information and building plan systems are dysfunctional, and the old archive is poorly protected and organised. This paralyses the property market and undermines economic growth.
Homeowners are forced to pay for new “as built” plans or face sale delays because the city cannot provide approved plans. These additional costs are unfair and avoidable.
Reports of chaotic access to records and allegations of exploitation by third parties heighten the risk of corruption and extortion.
The city should immediately address any situation that enables this.
The Freedom Front Plus wishes to offer constructive criticism by proposing the following:
• Immediately conduct a forensic audit and implement independent oversight.
• Appoint an independent forensic auditor to determine which documents are missing, where the system failed and whether corruption occurred.
• Suspend personnel implicated in malpractice pending the audit outcome.
• Rapid digitalisation and safe public access.
• Prioritise a properly managed, searchable digital database for all approved building plans and property documents, with verifiable download and date stamps.
• Create an online app where applicants can track their plan status.
• Implement temporary relief measures for affected homeowners and sellers: Introduce a temporary exemption or subsidy for fees to approve “as-built” plans where the city’s records are unavailable.
• Expedite approvals for smaller residential applications to reduce the backlog.
The Freedom Front Plus calls on Mayor Dada Morero, Mayoral Committee Member for Development Planning, Eunice Mgcina and City Manager, Floyd Brink, to implement these steps at once.
This is about protecting property rights, easing the burden on ordinary citizens and restoring investor confidence in Johannesburg.
