MBOMBELA – Some neighbours of Mr Simon Mkhatshwa, owner of Cefups Academy, are puzzled by the wall he began to construct around his farm last year. The neighbours who spoke to Lowvelder on condition of anonymity, are wondering what is being fenced in on the portion he owns of Eerstegeluk Farm located on the Uitkyk Road just outside the city.
On a visit to the farm, Lowvelder saw the four-brick wide wall interspersed with concrete pillars reinforced by steel standing six metres high. The foundations are a metre deep and one-and-a-half metres wide. In total the wall stretches an estimated kilometre in three sections around the farm.
The construction was stopped around the beginning of November last year when the provincial department of environmental affairs determined that the site had been cleared of indigenous vegetation without its authorisation since an environmental impact study was supposed to have been done first, before starting construction.
Mr Bheki Nyathikazi, spokesman for the department, said that while the area was not declared a conservation area in terms of the law, it did contain indigenous vegetation. He added that Mkhatswa also had to submit a rectification application, which he has done.
“The department received the application for processing and all activities have been stopped.”
It all started in August last year, when Mkhatshwa allegedly took down the fence between his property and that of his neighbours promising to erect a wall within two weeks. They said they had agreed, envisioning a normal two-brick wall. Instead a monstrosity arose. Moreover, they claim that the wall was technically built on their side of the property line. But this has become the least of their problems with the wall apparently blocking the natural flow of rain water from the mountain and being a huge eyesore.
Nyathikazi said, “The application is in process to address issues of environmental impacts and degradation and a decision will be made. The applicant will be subject to liability for a fine, prior to any decision-making.
“Currently there will be no demolition due because Mkhatswa is cooperating and has since ceased with any activities on site after a pre-compliance notice was issued, and he applied for rectification application.”
The neighbours agree that it may do more damage to break the wall down completely, given its dimensions, but want answers as to the way forward since they argue it cannot remain as it is.
Mkhatshwa could not be reached for comment despite various attempts.
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