The mystery surrounding a helicopter landing site in the parking lot opposite Waterkloof Primary School, on the corner of Julius Jeppe Street and Crown Avenue, has taken a decisive new turn.

Pretoria Rekord reports prominent businessman Arnold Pistorius of Twin City Development wrote to the metro earlier this month, requesting a formal response to a proposal regarding the site by Thursday.

Pistorius proposed that the 15m-by-15m repainted brick paving, construed as a helipad, be left in place to allow the school and gym to continue using it as a parking area.

He requested that the paved area remain available for school-related parking, as the unpaved parts of the terrain leased from the metro become muddy and difficult to access during the rainy season.

However, the metro has since declined his offer and formally instructed Pistorius to proceed with the removal of the helipad, in an email with the wording: “Kindly let me know when the demolition will proceed.”

The instruction came in an email dated April 17, signed by Sthembiso Skosana, the executive assistant to the MMC of Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi.

Conflict between the metro, the school and Pistorius had a three-month run-up to this point.

In February, Morodi said the city could not determine who was responsible for the creation of the paved helipad, situated in a public parking lot across from the school.

The area, which used to be signposted as a helipad, sits on city-owned land frequently used by Brooks Gym patrons and Waterkloof Primary School staff and parents.

Following a site visit in February, the metro warned the school that its lease agreement could be in jeopardy if the alleged helipad was not dismantled.

Pistorius provided documentation to Rekord showing that in 2016, he had applied to establish the helipad, forwarding it to authorities including the Civil Aviation Authority, Waterkloof Air Force Base, and the Tshwane metro.

He claimed the intended use of the helipad was for business travel and emergency services for the surrounding community. Twin City Development’s offices are located directly across from the site.

While the metro granted conditional approval for the helipad at the time, it required the school’s consent. This consent was never given. The school cited safety risks for learners and declined the proposal.

Pistorius said the helipad was never used and that the paved surface and signage were installed in anticipation of approval, but the project was ultimately abandoned when the school rejected it.

In a letter dated April 10 to the metro, Pistorius reiterated that the site was never officially designated or used as a helipad and urged the city to allow the school to keep using it.

However, the metro responded by rejecting his proposal and instructing that the paved helipad area be demolished.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo clarified that the property lease is in the name of the school, not the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).

“The metro’s earlier letter to the school was not a threat but a contractual enforcement measure under the terms of the lease,” said Mashigo.

The school was granted 60 days to address the issue.

As of Wednesday, the school had not yet responded.

Meanwhile, the city has made its stance clear by refusing Pistorius’ offer and ordering the removal of the structure.

Steve Mabona, the spokesperson for the GDE, confirmed that Bruinslich Park is leased to the Waterkloof Primary School Trust.

“A meeting was subsequently held with Twin City regarding the issuing of the contravention letter. The owner is in the process of requesting, on the school’s behalf, that the metro allow the helipad to be used as a parking bay. However, if permission is denied, the paving bricks will be removed accordingly,” said Mabona.

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