A Small Kaysers Beach community is divided over the location of a soon-to-be established local drinking hole – others do not want it to open, while a majority is in favour.
The Buffalo City Metro council recently rejected a request from some members of the community that the tavern should not open.
The dispute surrounding the establishment of the tavern has been dragging on for over a year, with various departments in BCM asking for input.
A report by the acting head of BCM spatial planning and development, Andile Mshumpela, was tabled before council on August 31, where he recommended that the council should not approve a call by a number of residents who objected to the tavern opening in their street.
Mshumpela said the non-approval was in light of objections received by the metro against the “few” who wanted the tavern application to be denied.
The owner of the tavern, Delano Hein said he was excited when he heard that the council had approved his application.
“Our former ward councillor Sindile Toni called me on the same evening when the decision was taken.
“I’ve been waiting for this approval and already 90% of the work has been done and we should open in about two weeks’ time. I’m still waiting for the official approval letter so that I can get a licence from the liquor board,” said Hein.
Hein said while he awaits the liquor licence he would operate as a restaurant.
However, his neighbours, who had submitted their objection letters against the tavern, yesterday expressed disappointment at the news.
Secretary of the Kaysers Beach Ratepayers Association, Kristy Pretorius said: “I’m disgusted because no one approached us as the neighbours. The people who supported this don’t live in the street and that is not fair. I have children who use that public road to cycle and now they will be in danger from those who will be drinking and driving.”
Pretorius said she was worried the noise from the tavern would affect her six-month-old baby.
However, former ward councillor Toni defended the approval, stating that there were about 20 residents who supported the application as opposed to six residents who submitted their objections.
Those against the tavern said they would call the police should they see people drunk on the street and remove those parking vehicles in front of their homes. —mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Mixed support for tavern in Kaysers Beach
The Buffalo City Metro council recently rejected a request from some members of the community that the tavern should not open.
The dispute surrounding the establishment of the tavern has been dragging on for over a year, with various departments in BCM asking for input.
A report by the acting head of BCM spatial planning and development, Andile Mshumpela, was tabled before council on August 31, where he recommended that the council should not approve a call by a number of residents who objected to the tavern opening in their street.
Mshumpela said the non-approval was in light of objections received by the metro against the “few” who wanted the tavern application to be denied.
The owner of the tavern, Delano Hein said he was excited when he heard that the council had approved his application.
“Our former ward councillor Sindile Toni called me on the same evening when the decision was taken.
“I’ve been waiting for this approval and already 90% of the work has been done and we should open in about two weeks’ time. I’m still waiting for the official approval letter so that I can get a licence from the liquor board,” said Hein.
Hein said while he awaits the liquor licence he would operate as a restaurant.
However, his neighbours, who had submitted their objection letters against the tavern, yesterday expressed disappointment at the news.
Secretary of the Kaysers Beach Ratepayers Association, Kristy Pretorius said: “I’m disgusted because no one approached us as the neighbours. The people who supported this don’t live in the street and that is not fair. I have children who use that public road to cycle and now they will be in danger from those who will be drinking and driving.”
Pretorius said she was worried the noise from the tavern would affect her six-month-old baby.
However, former ward councillor Toni defended the approval, stating that there were about 20 residents who supported the application as opposed to six residents who submitted their objections.
Those against the tavern said they would call the police should they see people drunk on the street and remove those parking vehicles in front of their homes. —mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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