GEORGE NEWS - A block of flats in Thembalethu owned by an ANC ward councillor is at the centre of a municipal investigation into alleged illegal construction, and the George Municipality confirmed the matter is now being prepared for possible legal action.

The development, located in Ncamazana Street and owned by ANC ward councillor Thembinkosi Lento, has come under scrutiny following some allegations that it had been built without approved plans.

During the paper's recent site visit, signs suggesting occupation were observed on the property, including laundry hanging outside, shoes placed outside the units and a vehicle parked on the premises.

Lento, who acknowledged ownership of the property, told George Herald he was unaware that approved building plans were required, and claims he had not received any communication from the municipality indicating that the building had been erected illegally.

Asked how water and electricity had been connected to the development without any approved plans, Lento said the flats had been added to an existing Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house. He said the occupants were using an existing water connection on the property, and that he had purchased and installed an electricity distribution box.

Lento said he was surprised by the allegations, and that he intended to visit the municipality's planning department to establish the status of the development.

Responding to the paper's enquiries, Mahlatse Phosa, the director of planning and development at the George Municipality, confirmed that a complaint about the alleged illegal construction had been received on 10 February 2026. "Since receipt of the complaint, the municipality has been undertaking the necessary due diligence processes to investigate and address the reported contraventions in accordance with applicable legislation and internal procedures," said Phosa.

He said the matter was being finalised administratively and included a final inspection to determine the current status of the development and whether there was any occupation on site. 

"Thereafter, the full case file will be prepared and referred to legal services for further action," Phosa said.

According to some information received by George Herald, the municipality allegedly instructed the owner to cease, remove or rectify the contraventions, and a final order was reportedly issued on 21 April. Phosa said the municipality applies the same enforcement processes in a consistent and structured manner to all property owners, regardless of their identity or status.

The block of flats at 7341 Ncamazana Street in Thembalethu, owned by ANC ward councillor Thembinkosi Lento.

He said compliance notices had been issued within the prescribed time frames, and that the property owners are first given an opportunity to respond and rectify any contraventions. He said in cases where the owners fail to comply, the municipality may institute criminal or civil proceedings, including demolition applications where warranted.

"The municipality's preferred approach in all cases is to seek voluntary compliance," said Phosa. "Should this not occur, enforcement action is escalated accordingly."

He said the matter would be handled in line with the municipality's enforcement framework and legal obligations.

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