Centlec has urged residents to take note of the restrictions when it comes to tree cutting and maintenance within the city that has led to power failures in some areas.
In a public awareness statement, Centlec has noted that property owners should take note of clauses, 6.2, 7 and 41 of the Mangaung Municipal public street bylaws that stipulates that “any tree or shrub planted in a street becomes the property of the municipality,” said Centlec.
Clause 7 and 41 (Penalties) as supplied by Centlec:
Trees or growth causing an interference or obstruction:
7.1 Whenever there is upon any property any tree or other growth which interferes with overhead wires or is a source of annoyance, danger, or inconvenience to persons using a street, the municipality may by notice in writing order the owner or occupier of such property to prune or remove such tree or growth to the extent and within the period specified in such notice.
7.2 Any person failing to comply with a notice issued in terms of subsection (7.1) is guilty of an offence.
7.3 If any person fails to comply with a notice in terms of this section, the municipality may itself prune or remove the tree or growth at the expense of the person on whom the notice was served.
- Penalties
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this by-law is guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to-
(a) a fine, not exceeding three thousand rand (R3,000) or imprisonment not exceeding three (3) months, or both such fine and such imprisonment.
(b) in the case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine, not exceeding one thousand five hundred rand (R1,500) or an additional period of imprisonment not exceeding one (1) month or to both such additional fine and imprisonment for each day on which such offence is continued; and
(c) a further amount equal to any costs and expenses found by the court to have been incurred by the municipality as result of such contravention or failure.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
