Land donation hot potato
Airport plans collide with illegal housing
BUFFALO City councillors are split over a land donation, with some fearing it could be a poisoned chalice.
The valuable land, which is situated next to the East London Airport, has been illegally occupied.
Farm 871 in Greydell, otherwise known as Bongweni township, was owned by national department of public works but has since been given to BCM. However its occupation has caused a major hitch in the planned expansion of the airport.
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) spokesman Colin Naidoo yesterday confirmed the expansion plans, which would see the airport area more than double in size.
However, he refused to divulge more details and could only say: “Acsa is currently engaging Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and other relevant entities.”
The donation was discussed at Wednesday’s council meeting. However, councillors shelved the item, with some saying it would be political suicide to ask the illegal occupiers of the land to demolish their dream homes just a few months before local government elections.
Councillors deadlocked on whether to accept Public Works’ offer and instead opted to investigate the implications of the donation before accepting it.
Those sceptical fear making enemies with the hundreds of families who have already built homes on the land.
In a report tabled in council, it was revealed the occupation of the land was hazardous and illegal.
The report by city manager Andile Fani further reveals that the development of some of the houses was in contravention of Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989.
“The community has illegally settled in an unsafe environment within close proximity to the airport and noise contour.
“None of residents pays rates. Construction has taken place without building plans submitted or permission from the city.”
The report says the metro had begged for the transfer of the land since 2004, intending to construct houses for 335 families on the portion which is outside the noise contour.
However, when the public works donation was finalised on condition the metro “incur all costs incidental to the transfer of the land”, some councillors were sceptical.
Despite ANC councillor Sakhumzi Caga pleading with his colleagues to “just accept and embrace” the donation, his counterpart Monwabisi Mahodi was less enthusiastic.
“In my view public works is dropping us a problem which will lead to us fighting with our people,” said Mahodi.
“People have spent money building big houses and when plans to expand the airport materialise, we will have to forcefully evict and demolish some of those houses, leading to public unrest which we don’t want to see.”
Council then resolved that the implications be thoroughly investigated by Fani and executive mayor Alfred Mtsi before the donation could be accepted.
During a visit to Bongweni yesterday, various residents said they would never move from the area they had occupied since 1999, “even if it comes to a push”.
Community leader Marherhe Fani said after public works transferred the land, “the only thing we are waiting for is for BCM to bring services, including a gravesite”. — asandan@dispatch.