Dubious activities at unlicensed B&B

RESIDENTS of Bush Buck St in Empangeni are up in arms over an unlicensed bed-and-breakfast reportedly operating as a brothel.

Neighbours have drafted a petition in objection to an operating license being granted to the owner of the property.

‘In 2008 we drafted a letter to the municipality about this issue and assumed something had been done, but there has been no change in the activity in our street,’ said a resident.

‘We have just drafted our second letter in objection and apparently he has applied for a liquor license too,’ he said.

The house situated in suburban Empangeni, a few feet from a primary school, has children walking past every afternoon.

‘The Act does not allow a liquor license to be granted to any person unless the property is 700m away from a church, school, community hall or public institution such as clinics,’ said uThungulu Social Responsibility Manager Mlungisi Dube.

‘I cannot comprehend how any business can operate without a license, it is against the law. It is a great concern that businesses of any kind can be run without proper permission or licensing,’ added Ward 23 Councillor Andre de Lange.

Bush Buck residents said their area has been filled with undesirable characters and as a community, believe a brothel is being run on the property.

‘Our kids are always asking what is happening at that house because it is always so busy. Complete unsavoury practices in a prime area of Empangeni and we don’t know what to do anymore’ said the resident.

‘Cars frequent that house with a male and female entering and an hour later, they’re leaving,’

‘It is increasing the level of crime and also lowering the market value of our homes. We cannot tolerate this!’ he said.

According to city records, no application for a liquor license has been submitted, however, a B&B license application is in the process.

‘When there is an application of any sort, it has to go through all relevant departments before it reaches Council,’ said City of uMhlathuze Chief Communications Officer Vukile Mathabela.

‘Council is the only entity with power to grant operating permission. At this point, the application is in progress and there is an opportunity for all Councillors to question, raise concerns or oppose any application at the Council meeting,’ he said.

‘If there are suspicions of any illegal activities at the premises, it must be taken up with the police,’ he added.