Villagers opposed to plans for an N2 toll road through Pondoland are threatening to go back to court if the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) continues with the project.
This follows a Daily Dispatch report last week which stated that the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission led by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti had given the project a go-ahead.
Tenders for the building of the first two major bridges which form part of phase 1 of the project are expected to be published this year.
Cormac Cullinan, a legal representative of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), which represents all those who do not support the project in the affected villages, said if their concern that Sanral alters the route is not addressed, they will go to court.
Amadiba Tribal authority covers several villages including Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya.
The Dispatch reported last week that according to a survey Sanral conducted in the area, 98% of affected communities were behind the development.
In its response, Sanral claims that last December the Amadiba tribal authority, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya communities withdrew from the legal challenge against Minister of Environment Affairs Edna Molewa in which they raised concerns about how the environment would be adversely affected.
But ACC spokesman Mzamo Dlamini disputed Sanral’s claim saying: “It is very unfortunate that Sanral is capable of such lies.
“We never withdrew our challenge and are not going to do so in the near future.
“We are in no discussions with Sanral as far as we know. No deal was struck between any of us and Sanral.
“That is a lie. Ask them to produce that agreement,” said Dlamini.
Tensions mounted within affected communities last week when a local Sanral social facilitator, a Mr Ngalo, convened a meeting with ACC only to raise the issue of the N2 Wild Coast development.
Dlamini said after three meetings, one of them in Margate, the two parties had yet to find a resolution after ACC delegates at all the meetings realised that the route had not been altered.
Dlamini said during the meetings they were made to believe the road had been altered and would not cut through Mdatya and Sigidi villages.
He said agency officials had flown ACC members in a helicopter last week to see the exact route, but still ACC was not convinced their concerns had been addressed.
“We flew from Tombo area about 20km from to Mthatha, and we followed the route and saw the bridges. When we crossed the Mtentu river then they (Sanral) were not so clear about where the road was to go.
“But we noticed it is still going through our area because the bridge at Mzamba is at the same alignment.
“We are still committed to our challenge.
“We will go on for so long as nothing changes. We had no more discussions with Sanral after this,” said Dlamini.
The Amadiba Tribal authority is led by Chief Lunga Baleni under Pondoland King Zanozuko Sigcau.
Cullinan said the case was becoming complex because Sanral had launched “an interlocutory (temporary) application in which Sanral challenges our right to represent these communities”.
He said Sanral was arguing that the communities are not legal persons and “that we cannot represent them if Chief Baleni says that he and the Amadiba Traditional Authority are in favour of the road.
“There has already been a hearing on this issue but it was postponed by agreement.
“We don’t yet have a date for this but we anticipate that it will be in about three or four months time.
“If we win that application then the main application in which we are asking the court to review and set aside the environmental authorisation for the toll road will be heard – probably only next year,” said Cullinan.
But Pondoland Kingdom spokesman Prince Mzwandile Maraqana argued against any further delays to the project, saying the kingdom had given the project their blessings.
He said this follows regular briefings the king received from the local chief.
“We have no reason to believe that a senior traditional leader and chief of the Amadiba will misinform the king about what is happening on the ground.
“Our understanding is that his subjects are supporting the project and as the kingdom we are also in full support of this development.
“This project will bring huge development in the Pondoland area.
“Investors look for roads infrastructure, water and access to electricity before committing to invest in any community.
“This development is a step towards the right direction,” said Maraqana.
Villagers in N2 toll road path set for new battle
This follows a Daily Dispatch report last week which stated that the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission led by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti had given the project a go-ahead.
Tenders for the building of the first two major bridges which form part of phase 1 of the project are expected to be published this year.
Cormac Cullinan, a legal representative of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), which represents all those who do not support the project in the affected villages, said if their concern that Sanral alters the route is not addressed, they will go to court.
Amadiba Tribal authority covers several villages including Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya.
The Dispatch reported last week that according to a survey Sanral conducted in the area, 98% of affected communities were behind the development.
In its response, Sanral claims that last December the Amadiba tribal authority, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya communities withdrew from the legal challenge against Minister of Environment Affairs Edna Molewa in which they raised concerns about how the environment would be adversely affected.
But ACC spokesman Mzamo Dlamini disputed Sanral’s claim saying: “It is very unfortunate that Sanral is capable of such lies.
“We never withdrew our challenge and are not going to do so in the near future.
“We are in no discussions with Sanral as far as we know. No deal was struck between any of us and Sanral.
“That is a lie. Ask them to produce that agreement,” said Dlamini.
Tensions mounted within affected communities last week when a local Sanral social facilitator, a Mr Ngalo, convened a meeting with ACC only to raise the issue of the N2 Wild Coast development.
Dlamini said after three meetings, one of them in Margate, the two parties had yet to find a resolution after ACC delegates at all the meetings realised that the route had not been altered.
Dlamini said during the meetings they were made to believe the road had been altered and would not cut through Mdatya and Sigidi villages.
He said agency officials had flown ACC members in a helicopter last week to see the exact route, but still ACC was not convinced their concerns had been addressed.
“We flew from Tombo area about 20km from to Mthatha, and we followed the route and saw the bridges. When we crossed the Mtentu river then they (Sanral) were not so clear about where the road was to go.
“But we noticed it is still going through our area because the bridge at Mzamba is at the same alignment.
“We are still committed to our challenge.
“We will go on for so long as nothing changes. We had no more discussions with Sanral after this,” said Dlamini.
The Amadiba Tribal authority is led by Chief Lunga Baleni under Pondoland King Zanozuko Sigcau.
Cullinan said the case was becoming complex because Sanral had launched “an interlocutory (temporary) application in which Sanral challenges our right to represent these communities”.
He said Sanral was arguing that the communities are not legal persons and “that we cannot represent them if Chief Baleni says that he and the Amadiba Traditional Authority are in favour of the road.
“There has already been a hearing on this issue but it was postponed by agreement.
“We don’t yet have a date for this but we anticipate that it will be in about three or four months time.
“If we win that application then the main application in which we are asking the court to review and set aside the environmental authorisation for the toll road will be heard – probably only next year,” said Cullinan.
But Pondoland Kingdom spokesman Prince Mzwandile Maraqana argued against any further delays to the project, saying the kingdom had given the project their blessings.
He said this follows regular briefings the king received from the local chief.
“We have no reason to believe that a senior traditional leader and chief of the Amadiba will misinform the king about what is happening on the ground.
“Our understanding is that his subjects are supporting the project and as the kingdom we are also in full support of this development.
“This project will bring huge development in the Pondoland area.
“Investors look for roads infrastructure, water and access to electricity before committing to invest in any community.
“This development is a step towards the right direction,” said Maraqana.
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