AN ISIPINGO resident who is opposed to a chicken tikka business opening in her in her neighbourhood, saying it will pose a hazard and invite rowdy people into the area, has taken her fight to the eThekwini Municipality.
Dr Vasinta Veeran, who has lived in the south of Durban for more than four decades, addressed members of eThekwini Metro Executive Committee (Exco) at a meeting this week, and appealed against the granting of the trading licence to her neighbour, Mohamed Shamiel Aaroon, expanding his takeaway business.
Aaroon, according to his representative Fazal Ebrahim, ran a takeaway opposite his house where sandwiches, roti rolls and other snacks were sold.
“The house was flooded during the April 2022 floods. So this is the new operation and he does not have any other business interests,” said Ebrahim.
According to Ebrahim, Aaroon had not done anything wrong, and he described him as a law-abiding person.
Veeran argued that the process had been flawed and allowed little room for meaningful discussion and public participation, including objections. “When I arrived in the area, it was my hope that I will leave and retire there,” she told committee members.
Her concerns if Aaroon was granted a trading licence were: the constant movement of people as a result of the business, the dangerous fumes that would be emitted, posing a threat to her and other residents’ health, and the possible clogging of the drainage system.
Speaking after her Exco address, Veeran said she had endured weeks and months of frustration trying to present her case to the City authorities.
“I am appreciative of the platform that one was given to plead my case; however, there was not sufficient time for me to make the presentation,” she told Sunday Tribune.
It was noted that the application had received 17 objections, including from the advocacy group South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, led by environmentalist Desmond De Sa.
De Sa expressed gratitude that the Exco members had finally granted them an audience, noting how their pleas had fallen on deaf ears with previous mayor Mxolisi Kaunda in the past. He added that following the site visit by Exco members and the chance for the environmental group to present their case, they were hoping that such interactions with the municipality would be regular.
He also pleaded with Exco members not to grant the operating licence for the chicken tikka business, saying that “environmental affairs is a human rights issue”.
eThekwini mayor and Exco chairperson Cyril Xaba expressed satisfaction with the process, stressing how they had conducted site visits and also given both sides a chance to argue their case.
“Now that we have heard both the applicants and the appellants and the City officials, we will be able to make an informed decision,” said Xaba at the meeting. He added that in coming to a decision, they would determine whether the business was in line with the principles of development.
De Sa indicated that while it was refreshing for Exco to listen to them, they were hoping that their presentation would be responded to positively, adding that they were likely to challenge the outcome if it was not in their favour.
According to Ebrahim, Aaroon had not done anything wrong, and he described him as a law-abiding person.
He made an undertaking to abide by any decision taken by the committee.