Blatant illegalities being committed by the owner of a renowned restaurant in Xlendi, Gozo, are being constantly ignored by the Planning Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority, and the police, despite the consistent filing of reports of abuse seen by The Shift.
The owner of Ta’ Karolina restaurant, Joseph Farrugia, appears to be allowed to do as he pleases in the area around his restaurant, including blocking public passageways with tables and chairs, and his closeness to the governing Labour Party may be one of the reasons.
His eatery is frequently visited by Labour cabinet members and senior officials.
The owner’s sister, Monica Farrugia, is a prominent member of the Labour Party Executive and the recipient of various government senior posts by one of disgraced Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s chief aide and close friend, and current Enemalta CEO, Jonathan Cardona.
Her brother Joseph, who has owned the restaurant next to the famous Ta’ Karolina Cave tourist attraction for many years, was also promoted as soon as Labour was elected in 2013.
From his previous post as a government clerk, Farrugia was promoted to chief beach cleaner and was assigned to clean Xlendi beach – just in front of his restaurant and the area he uses to place tables and chairs on public land illegally.
Following the 2017 elections, it seems Farrugia needed help to keep Xlendi’s beach clean, so the Gozo Ministry recruited more beach cleaners for Xlendi, including other Ta’ Karolina restaurant staff members.
Investigations by The Shift show that Ta’ Karolina restaurant is operating with a number of other illegalities.
Apart from taking up a much larger area of public land than is permitted by the authorities to place his tables and chairs, the restaurant’s patrons are even dining in a public cave and on the passageway leading towards it. Farrugia also has an illegal canopy and illegally berths his boats, which he uses to transport goods.
Despite such a blatant breach of rules, the only enforcement order issued by the Planning Authority against Farrugia dates back a decade, when in 2012, the Planning Authority noted that Ta’ Karolina had put up an illegal tent.
Since then, as happens through the inbuilt system of rectifying illegalities, the canopy has been sanctioned and given the green light by the authorities.
While Xlendi Bay is inundated with illegalities, with most of the restaurants and bars abusing the system as the authorities merely observe the mayhem without intervening, residents who spoke to The Shift identified Farrugia as one of the biggest contraveners.
“While we constantly complain and even file reports, nothing ever happens. At least some restaurant owners try to keep their illegalities contained and clean up the mess after their abuse. But Farrugia is special as he also dumps his rubbish just outside our doors,” the residents said.
They complained that while Xlendi has become a “lost case”, they insisted that their patience with this blatant abuse, which is being “blessed by the government”, is quickly running out.
loghba 5 a side at 8:30 pm
Do I understand this correctly:
The police do nothing here either?
What is Angelo Gafá doing?
Hasn’t he brought his troops up to speed?
Haluwhom jahdmu Madonna!
I always wonder how in many picturesque places around seaside Europe these illegalities are permitted!!
We all visit them and say how beautiful they are and then come back on this rock and start yelling foul play!!
Maltese PN gem gem insomma!!
Quote one example please. Positano? Capri? Portofino? Please stick to places north of Malta.
Gbajt tindirizza l meetings tal labour issa? Clown
Lili ma thallinix ingawdi daqsxejn dak li hu tal-pubbliku? Jien sal-lum hsibt li verament malta taghna lkoll… imma qisu mhix hux?
So the Labour government employs the restaurant’s staff team and management as beach cleaners with the specific task of cleaning the pavement in front of the restaurant they operate and pack with tables outside. This means these do not even pay their national insurance because this is paid for them by the government. But it is all legal. In this country , criminals get away with murder, and the investigators are given such a hard time that they die from a heart attack.
So Corrupt country. Mrs Michelle & Co, Mallia , etc…are also frequent diners there. Full time Beach cleaners paid from our taxes, operating a restaurant day and night with the blessing of the Gozo Ministry. They are paid to give 40 hours a week work with the Cleansing Department. By the way when you dine you have always ask for the VAT receipt. Instead they give you a non fiscal receipt. So Corrupt. VAT inspectors and accountability does not exist in Gozo. We are being robbed day and night.
Tiftakruh lil Alfred Sant jghajjat……
Bil-Hbieb tal-Hbieb.
Illum mhux hbieb BISS.
Ja mahmugin!
Well one restaurant that I have just deleted from my bucket list
I urge others of goodwill to do the same. Enough is enough, the blatant lack of following the law, can only be dealt with by us the civic minded citizens, by doing our best to hit their pockets.
It is obvious that the relevant institutions are not interested in having a zero tolerance to enforce the laws. This is what made our Country the miserable state we are in.
Mafiamalta taghna l-korrotti biss. Ghalikhom l-onesti li thallsu t-taxxi umiljazzjoni biss.