- The Western Cape High Court has ordered Metric Storage to stop operating an illegal storage business at the Riverview Church of Christ in Lakeside.
- Clients who have goods stored at the container site have until Sunday 31 March to remove their belongings.
- The court interdict, obtained on Monday 12 February, comes weeks after a City of Cape Town Notice to Cease Operating a Business due to a contravention of the municipal planning bylaw (MPBL) went largely ignored.
The Western Cape High Court has ordered Metric Storage to stop operating an illegal storage business at the Riverview Church of Christ in Lakeside.
Clients who have goods stored at the container site have until Sunday 31 March to remove their belongings.
The court interdict, obtained on Monday 12 February, comes weeks after a City of Cape Town Notice to Cease Operating a Business due to a contravention of the municipal planning bylaw (MPBL) went largely ignored.
On 18 December, Metric Storage Containers and Trailers (Pty) LTD, Riverview Church of Christ, Trustees of the Church of Christ, Trustees of Riverview Church of Christ Trust, Bijou Makembe and Honore Mbembo Makembe received notice to remove 100 storage containers by 19 January (“Containers present a ‘coffin’ People’s Post 16 January).
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews says the interdict sends a clear message that the City would not hesitate to take action against non-compliant residents.
“We trust this sends a clear message that the City will not hesitate to take action against those who are contravening our municipal planning by-law and land uses as set out in the Development Management Scheme.”
Andrews explained that to apply for temporary or permanent land use changes, statutory processes needed to be followed.
“Every property owner and person using land in Cape Town is compelled to comply.”
The High Court order states that Metric Storage and others are interdicted and restrained from operating a storage facility and leasing containers on the property. Those who have stored goods at the property may retrieve and remove their goods before the end of March.
On Tuesday 2 April, the Sheriff of the court will seal off the storage containers, and no person will be allowed to access the containers except to remove them from the property.
Andrews urged everyone storing their goods at the site to remove them before the deadline. “I encourage those who are storing goods in the containers to make arrangements to remove their goods from the containers as soon as possible and to note the court’s deadline of 31 March.
“I also want to make use of the opportunity to remind residents and businesses to ensure they are complying with the MPBL and permitted land uses as stipulated by the Development Management Scheme.”
Meanwhile, Lakeside residents welcomed the outcome of the court order.
Mark Hackney, a resident of Camargue complex, said residents welcomed the interdict.
“I speak on behalf of residents at Camargue, which borders the church. We are relieved the City has gotten this right.
“We were shocked because we had to endure containers, noise and dust next door, and it was not a pleasant experience. We knew it was wrong and people were angry because we were not advised or given a warning.”
However, residents remained concerned as uncertainty reigned on what could happen next.
“Another concern we as residents have is that the party occupying the church was ordered via a court not to act on behalf of the church,” Hackney said, “and they ignored the fact that by entering into a contract with Metric Containers.”
When People’s Post reached out to Honore Makembe he declined to comment. He blamed the newspaper for writing bad things about their business.
Deatlry Pickford, owner of Metric Storage, tells the People’s Post that the shipping containers will be moved to new premises in due course.
“When it comes to alternative premises, we have multiple options and we are negotiating so we will be relocating soon.”
Commenting on the court order, Pickford said he was pleased to be able to engage with the City about a realistic timeline in which to move.
“What was important to us was a realistic timeline, which we wanted to engage with the City about from the beginning. We tried to discuss with them a practical timeline to exit from the premises as the initial time frame was unrealistic but I am pleased to say that the City was willing to engage with us and have a more realistic timeline for relocating.”
Questioned on the court order, Pickford said he was pleased to have come to a mutual agreement with the City.
“We did get the City to arrange a settlement via mutual agreement, which was then made an order of court, so we avoided the cost of a day in court.”
Commenting on clients who have goods stored at the premises and whether the court order had influenced clients to move their goods to another facility, Pickford said many decided to stay with Metric Storage.
“They (clients) say that they will go where we go and yes we had some people who left due to intimidation by local community members in terms of targeting their businesses because they are supporting Metric Storage.
“Not many people are moving out because there is very limited storage in the southern suburbs and Metric Storage provides an essential service to the community.”
A message to any clients who may have questions about the pending move:
“To our clients, we have sent a notice with the agreement reached and how to get a hold of us if they have any questions.”
