FCC forces Chinese businessman out for road development
Patricia Edwin | Wednesday April 16, 2014 12:14
The plots are along the development path of the A1 Road upgrade. Feung Cho is one of the 43 residents that were affected by the Francistown-Tonota road development and while others have accepted compensation and moved to Gerald Estate, he has refused to move.
City mayor James Kgalajwe said that from what they know, Feung Cho has three undeveloped plots and a developed one. The council has leant that Feung Cho intended setting up business operations on the plots. The mayor said Feung Cho had once applied for change of use, from residential to commercial use but his application was denied for the reasons that the area is now targeted for road development.
Kgalajwe said that they had tried showing the businessman that his plans could not be undertaken as the place is on the development plan. “He has since refused to move. He has also declined compensation so that he can go and develop somewhere else. As a result we have been forced to start action to evict him without his consent and compensate him,” he said.
Kgalajwe said that because they could not get him to agree they have proceeded to seek help from the courts.
“We have had to advertise and give him 21 days from the date of the advert after which we will acquire the court order for compulsory eviction if he does not respond,” he said.
Efforts to get in touch with the businessman proved futile as he was said to be in Maun.
The Francistown-Tonota road project started last year and is expected to be completed next year though it is already behind schedule. The process is still a little behind schedule owing to the relocation of pipes and homes.