Greyville residents voice concerns as restaurant rezoning is approved
eThekwini ward councillor Ernest Smith with the petition to stop a business development from hindering residents in Greyville.
Image: Zainul Dawood
DESPITE strong objections from Greyville residents and concerns raised by the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA), the municipality has approved a rezoning application for a restaurant on Lilian Ngoyi Road.
The decision was made during a council meeting on Thursday, where the Economic Development and Planning Committee endorsed the removal of parking restrictions and amendments to the Greyville Special Zone to regularise the existing fast food outlet.
The ETA had explicitly of required parking to nil, insisting that all parking and development-related vehicles should be accommodated within the property boundaries. However, the municipality found the applicant’s motivations for the reduction to be substantive, citing the property’s long-standing lack of on-site parking as a unique circumstance justifying the exemption.
According to the municipality, the parking requirement was minimal—only three bays—due to the small scale of the establishment. Officials further argued that the site would contribute to the economic upliftment of the area, bringing socio-economic benefits and job opportunities. The proposed amendment was also deemed consistent with surrounding land use trends.
eThekwini Ward 27 Councillor Ernest Smith criticised the decision, calling for greater accountability. He emphasised that while businesses are welcome in the city, they should not thrive at the expense of the communities they serve. “The residents of Greyville are not asking for special treatment but for respect and safety,” he said.
In a petition submitted by residents, concerns included:
• Repeated by-law violations
• Illegal parking and blocked driveways
• Drinking on the public road
• Noise and public disturbances
• Disorderly behaviour late into the night
Smith accused the municipality of approving business operations in a confined and unsuitable section of road without properly assessing the impact on a major arterial route. “This is a failure in planning, oversight, and responsibility. Traffic congestion along Lillian Ngoyi Road has become untenable.
This is an arterial route, and it has been compromised because due diligence was not exercised. Metro police resources are being pulled away from critical duties citywide to babysit this one stretch of road. That is a reckless misuse of limited enforcement capacity,” he said.
He urged the municipality to take decisive action, warning that inaction would send a troubling message: that communities are secondary, planning is optional, and non-compliant businesses can operate with impunity.