JOHANNESBURG - Some white business owners in Hartbeespoort have told Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo that racism is being used as a scapegoat to cover the real issues at the tourist town.
Among the issues raised are double standards when applying rules in the community, noise coming from some establishments, and the awarding of permission to operate licenses.Local Dannie van Heerden encouraged all those in attendance to embrace the spirit of the Government of National Unity in Hartbeespoort.
"I think we have got a common goal, from our point of view, our common goal is to have a prosperous Hartbeespoort and I think everyone here would find common grounds with that. Let's build a prosperous community, we have got so much going for us...we are a top tourist destination." Meanwhile, the department said it will be investigating how government land was acquired by some business owners around the Hartbeespoort Dam.
One of the complaints raised by white business owners around the Hartbeespoort Dam is that licenses known as permission to occupy certificates have been awarded illegally to undeserving business owners.Mahlobo said the awarding of land for business use will form part of a mandate given to a committee that will be formed to monitor business relations in the area.