The relocation of squatters to the infamous Plot 80 in order to make way for the K72 interchange remains a highly controversial issue.

It now transpires that the development planning for the interchange was done in 1989 and that the last legitimate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project was done in 2008, more than a decade ago. Since this EIA was only valid for five years as of December 2, 2008, this is just another shadow being cast on the project since the Gauteng Department of Roads (GDRT) is allegedly planning to start construction in 2023.

Also read:

• Plot 80: A circus without clowns

• Plot 80: Affected parties rubbish City and GDRT claims

When the News approached Ernest Mashaba of GDRT, to whom Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) referred the matter, the request for information was met with a one-line answer. The question that was posed to Mashaba on July 13 was, “The development planning that was done for this project was done in 1989 and the EIA in 2008. EIAs are only valid for five to ten years. This means the existing EIA for the interchange at Cradlestone Mall is not valid and therefore the building of it cannot proceed in 2023 as planned. It would be illegal. If another EIA has been done in the past five years, please supply it and the record of the decision (ROD).

“Since the development planning was done, development in the area, such as Cradlestone Mall, Pine Haven Estate and Silverstar Casino, has exploded. Just these three developments clearly nullify previous planning and assessments? Can you please explain and also supply us with a copy of the most recent EIA and the ROD. (Not the 2008 one because it is not valid anymore.)”

On July 14 Mashaba answered with this illuminating gem: “The process of receiving an extension of the ROD has commenced by 2023 we will be ready”. (sic)

The News has asked Mashaba to explain his answer in more detail and is currently awaiting a response.