Article re-cap
- Forty thousand middle-income ratepayers in Bloubergstrand are protesting against the City of Cape Town’s inaction on dozens of illegal buildings.
- Investigations revealed a forged engineering certificate and potential cover-ups at 94 Daniell Road.
- A High Court order granted on January 28, 2021, prohibited letting out the property at 94 Daniell Road until a land use application was approved.
Forty thousand middle-income ratepayers in Bloubergstrand are protesting against the City of Cape Town’s inaction on dozens of illegal buildings at 94 Daniell Road; investigations revealed a forged engineering certificate and potential cover-ups.
According to Kevin Bloom, Daily Maverick is investigating clandestine workings within Cape Town’s municipal planning structures. The investigation focuses on the Blaauwberg district where 40,000 ratepayers have been protesting against the City’s inaction regarding dozens of illegal buildings.
Charles Rudman, writing from the office of executive deputy mayor Eddie Andrews, admitted on June 28, 2024, that the engineering form for the property at 94 Daniell Road had been forged. The email was copied to Robert McGaffin, the executive director of the spatial planning and environment directorate, and Garron Gsell, chairperson of the Tijgerhof Residents Association.
Justice Rosheni Allie granted a High Court order on January 28, 2021, prohibiting letting out the property at 94 Daniell Road until a land use application was approved. The order directed the City to seek a demolition order if the application was refused.
In October 2025, Mubesko Africa issued a 16-page report to Bouwe van der Eems, chairperson of the Milnerton Central Residents Association (MCRA), confirming that a land use application for 94 Daniell Road had been submitted and refused in June 2021. However, site visits by Mubesko Africa revealed the illegal buildings remained standing.
The forged engineering certificate became central to the investigation, revealing an alleged corruption relationship between the draughtsman responsible for the building plans at 94 Daniell Road and the spatial planning and environment department within the City of Cape Town. According to Daily Maverick, Andrews and McGaffin were simply where the buck stopped.
Frequently asked questions
What is the core of the protest in Bloubergstrand?
The protest involves forty thousand middle-income ratepayers in Bloubergstrand who are voicing their dissatisfaction with the City of Cape Town’s failure to address numerous illegal buildings located at 94 Daniell Road; this inaction has fuelled concerns about corruption and mismanagement within the municipal planning structures.
What specific issue was identified regarding the property at 94 Daniell Road?
A forged engineering certificate was discovered, suggesting a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations. This finding highlighted potential corruption involving the draughtsman responsible for the building plans and connections within the City of Cape Town’s spatial planning and environment department; further investigation by Daily Maverick is ongoing.
What legal action was taken concerning the property at 94 Daniell Road?
A High Court order, granted on January 28, 2021, initially prohibited letting out the property until a land use application was approved and directed the City to seek a demolition order if the application was refused; this demonstrates a previous attempt to control development in the area.
Source: dailymaverick.co.za
