Dust-up about Zinkwazi’s hotel extension construction site

An extension to the new Ocean Reef Hotel in Zinkwazi, which is owned by HJ Wood properties, has kicked up a stink in the small seaside town.

Residents are petitioning against alleged noise pollution from levelling over the past 2 months, as well as concerns that the site will become an eyesore once construction begins.

An events venue is planned for the site once approval has been obtained.

Initial civil engineering works, which include levelling, fencing and installation of stormwater reticulation at the site are under way.

Zinkwazi residents, including Lara Jonsson whose home overlooks the site, believe the work undertaken so far has been done illegally.

This, they say, is backed up by 2 violation notices issued by the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM).

HJ Wood properties deny the accusation, saying in a response to the Courier that all work aside from the stormwater reticulation needed no council approval.

“Severe soil erosion was taking place towards the back of the property because of stormwater rushing through it. This required some civil engineering works that were carried out at our expense,” said HJ Wood properties managing director, Owen Smit.

KDM spokesperson, Sipho Mkhize, confirmed levelling operations were not done illegally, but that violation notices were issued relating to the stormwater reticulation and fencing which needed approval.

In a letter to KDM, copied to the Courier, engineers Vijay Ori & Associates claim the reticulation was installed as an emergency measure owing to soil erosion caused by heavy rains.

“We discussed the problem with Fisokuhle Mhlongo of the KwaDukuza municipality civils department, and he agreed to civils work proceeding while plans were being passed to prevent further erosion on the property,” read the letter.

Levelling and fencing works continued until KDM issued a lawyer’s letter on November 26, calling for work to be stopped.

It notified HJ Wood properties that KDM intended to obtain a court interdict if building plans were not submitted within 3 days.

Smit confirmed work on the site had indeed stopped and that plans were to be submitted by the deadline date on December 10.

Zinkwazi residents are nevertheless frustrated by what they perceive to be work undertaken in bad faith.

More than 60 people have signed a petition for work to cease and for public participation on the process.

In response to the petition, Smit said the issue has been blown out of proportion.

“We hope to establish an upmarket events area that will bring employment opportunities greatly needed in the remote community. This facility will also support many accommodation providers already established in the area.

“It is important to remember that the majority of the surrounding areas do not cater for people who can afford luxury holiday homes on the coast, but rather desperate people looking for work opportunities we will hopefully provide,” said Smit.

“Concerned community members will be afforded the opportunity of lodging objections in accordance with the required municipality notice guidelines.”

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