KZN businesses win four-year court battle against municipality

KZN businesses win four-year court battle against municipality

Four years later and KZN business smell victory against the municipality. 

two businesses in KwaZulu-Natal have won a court order to force their local municipality to fix a storm water drain.
two businesses in KwaZulu-Natal have won a court order to force their local municipality to fix a storm water drain. Image/Business Insider

It's been a long time coming for these KZN businesses.

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The court battle took a lot out of the business owners, with technical inspections, many meetings and letters to finally get this moment. 

The two businesses in KwaZulu-Natal have won a court order to force their local municipality to fix a stormwater drain on a hilly road - before it kills someone.

two businesses in KwaZulu-Natal have won a court order to force their local municipality to fix a storm water drain.
two businesses in KwaZulu-Natal have won a court order to force their local municipality to fix a storm water drain. Image/Business Insider

According to Business Insider, the battle happened at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.

The high court slammed the Umdoni Municipality, which is responsible for the town of Umzinto. 

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This is due to the fact that it had ignored the dangerous situation caused by its failed infrastructure.

The judge had granted punitive costs against it.

The municipality now has about four months to appoint a contractor that will be able to fix the damage. 

via GIPHY

Back in October 2018, the municipality had agreed to fix the stormwater drainage system. 

However, for whatever reason, they did not. 

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By the start of November 2020, the lawyers for the KZN businesses who were involved in this situation were warning of dire safety implications. 

The warning saw a couple of municipal officers visit the site, after which nothing happened. 

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Main image attribution: Business Insider

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