Updated | Workers find gates at Polidano’s site in Hal Farrug closed

Workers employed with Polidano Brothers at the Hal Farrug site returned home this morning after finding the gates closed. Sources said that workers are now planning to congregate next Monday in front of the premises' gates.

"All we want to do is work. This is our daily bread. We cannot afford to be caught in this fight," a worker told MaltaToday.

Attempts to contact Charles Polidano have proved to be futile.

The development comes after a botched clampdown last night by MEPA's enforcement unit - supported by the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police Force - on several illegal structures on sites adjacent to the Monte Kristo Estate.

While police had been on standby as early as 11am, the operation to pull down two illegal structures kicked off in the evening at around 4pm.

Having only managed to pull down a large concrete store that was soon to be roofed, the civil courts upheld a request for a prohibitory injunction on MEPA, to stop the direct action on the Polidano Bros site.

The authority this morning have filed a prohibitory injunction demanding an instant stop to works by Polidano Group in the area where MEPA was meant to carry out a direct enforcement action.

In its application, signed by Robert Abela, MEPA also requested the court to carry out an on site inquiry to determine the extent of the illegal development carried out by Polidano Bros Ltd and Montekristo Estates Ltd.

MEPA argued that being a major contractor does not mean one could do anything they wanted: "This is not about a minor infraction but about illegal massive development."

"The [Polidanos] are trying to play the victim because the action is being carried out on their property. But they are not saying that the structure was developed illegally, abusively and is an insult to citizens," MEPA said.

The Polidanos are claiming abuse of power by the authorities and illegalities against them.

"Truth is that they are the authors of one of the biggest illegal constructions in the country," MEPA said, adding that Polidanos believed that "might is right" and they were above the law.

MaltaToday is informed that employees at MEPA were yesterday sent home early as a "precautionary measure" while police officers on stand by were only informed of the operation minutes before it started.

It is believed that Polidano Bros were still tipped off as MEPA enforcement officers found the entrance to the estate blocked by heavy trucks. Access to the site was cleared after the owners agreed to remove the blockade.

The full operation was meant to pull down two illegally erected structures, one of which was a four-storey tower, dubbed 'the De Redin tower'.

The court hearing has been scheduled for 11 December.

An average area of 64,000 square metres owned by Polidano Bros is subject to enforcement notices.