Sanral objects to Linksfield mixed use development.

A letter read by the ward 19 councillor for Edenvale, Clr Bill Rundle, stated that the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), objected to the Linksfield mixed use development plans.

According to the letter Clr Rundle read, the N3 highway will not be able to sustain the traffic congestion without the necessary upgrades to support it.

Clr Rundle managed to get expert speakers to address the community regarding the development on Monday night last week.

“I would like to emphasise that we are not officials, so we do not have answers,” said Clr Rundle.

“We have expert speakers to inform the community of the consequences to this development,” he said.

The NEWS previously published that the proposed development at this site raised concerns of health issues as well as traffic congestion.

Matters that were addressed in the meeting included these concerns as well as others, as addressed by the speakers.

Ms Naomi Dinure, an expert in graves and heritage, informed the community of the rare fauna and flora found at the site.

She included a presentation of the history of the Rietfontein Farm, as well as the graves and deaths that can be found on the premises.

“The area in which the development is set to take place holds many factors that count against the development,” she said.

Ms Dinure, within her research, found that the graves on-site have individuals who died from diseases such as Small Pox, Bubonic Plague, TB, Anthrax and several other diseases.

She had also discovered that some of these diseases could survive for years, thus creating the possibility of an outbreak if the graves are to be penetrated.

“The priority of the meeting was to inform residents of the arising implications of the development,” said Clr Rundle.

“It was also to take objections based on the environmental impact studies,” he said.

The matter was about a mixed income housing development at the Sizwe Linksfield Fever Hospital site.

Residents also claimed they were not informed about the plans for the development.

Residents were asked to fill in objection forms at the meeting.

Another expert about the laws pertaining to graves, Dr Robert Fuller, said it would cost millions of Rands to detect all the graves found at the site.

“I have been to attorneys to inquire about the laws of penetrating graves,” he said.

“I was told the only way to investigate graves is by using ground penetrating radar. In essence, it is not possible for the developers to dig up graves without the proper documentation and assistance,” said Dr Fuller.

A health, safety and environmental consultant, Ms Bianca Jutan, also explained the possible objections according to section three of the Environmental Authorisation.

“The section explains that certain areas are designated and have to have a fence around it. For this reason, the hospital cannot be demolished,” she said.

“If we do put low cost housing on this site, how can we be sure that the families will look after themselves and the graves they are surrounded by?” asked Ms Jutan.

Her concerns include whether the people who will live there would be able to protect themselves from detecting diseases or maintaining the indigenous plant and animal life.

According to Ms Jutan, Bokamoso has ticked all the legal boxes but there are unclear issues regarding the documentation of the fauna and flora, as well as the possible diseases that may affect the community.

“People, ask yourselves all these questions and object in adherence to the Environmental Authorisation,” she said.

Clr Rundle assured the community that he is not against social and economic growth, but that he is against the manner in which the development was proposed.

“Nobody in their right mind objects to growth but it has been done with a dismissive attitude,” he said.

The community is urged to contact Clr Rundle via email with regards to the objection forms at sehlorabrokers@gmail.com