Court orders small group to stop interfering with reserve construction
The KZN High Court has ordered a small group of residents opposed to the Mayibuye Game Reserve's construction to stop interfering with the development.
WORK at local big five game reserve, Mayibuye Game Reserve, has started again after the developers of the Mayibuye Game Reserve lodged an urgent application with the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg for damages caused by a small group of residents opposed to the world-class development. Developer, David Bozas, said the group broke fences, destroyed equipment and threatened workers on the 4 650-hectare site.
About five kilometres of the development’s fencing had been damaged, amounting to about R750 000 worth of damage. Another 20 kilometres of fencing is still to be erected by the end of March.
Bozas said the court ordered the small group to stop interfering with the reserve’s construction, and extended the ruling to 31 March for the respondents to file opposing papers.
He said the community was consulted and is happy with the development, and added that this small group was not representative of the community.
According to Bozas, game will be introduced into the park in April, and the official opening is set for August. At the same time, residential units will be on sale, but the date for renting of retail space is to be confirmed later.
Bozas said, in the beginning stages, the estate will house all the big five animals except lions: “We will gear up for lions, and once everything is settled down in terms of the development we will initiate the plans for lions.”
A lifelong dream of acclaimed conservationist and author, the late Lawrence Anthony, the Mayibuye development team is made up of the Mayibuye Community Trust, brothers Dylan and Jason Anthony, lifelong friend and business partner, David Bozas, and renowned international property developer and environmentalist, Andrew (Andy) Ruhan.
Peter Kennedy of BFG Retail introduced Lawrence to the land in 2007, and has continued to work closely with the developers and the Mayibuye Community Trust in various social upliftment, job creation and land expansion initiatives.
Nathi Shozi and Welcome Maphanga, both key role players in the creation of the partnership and representatives of the Mayibuye Trust, confirmed that the relationship formed in this venture is unique as it is the product of global business partnering with an international conservationist.
Mayibuye will be the closest big five reserve to King Shaka International Airport, and will boast two residential components for potential buyers to consider, the Mayibuye Lifestyle Estate and the Mayibuye Private Residence, as well as a hotel and retail space.
