Businessman steps in to clarify helipad saga

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

Prominent businessman Arnold Pistorius of Twin City Development has written to the metro, demanding it respond to his proposal by April 17.

In February, MMC for Corporate Services Kholofelo Morodi, said the city could not determine who had created the 15-by-15m paved helipad.

It sits in a parking lot across from the school and was previously signposted at the entrance gate as such.

The land is owned by the city but used by Brooks Gym patrons and the school community, either by teachers for parking or as a parents’ waiting area to pick up their children.

After the metro visited the site in February, Tshwane warned the school that its lease agreement could be terminated if the alleged helipad was not removed.

Pistorius showed Rekord documentation indicating that in 2016 he had applied to establish the helipad.

His application was submitted to various authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority, Waterkloof Air Force Base, and the City of Tshwane.

The businessman said he wanted to create the helipad in Brunsleigh Park to faciliate his business travels and also for emergency landing for the surrounding community.

Twin City Development, where Pistorius serves as executive chairperson, has its offices opposite the park.

The metro granted conditional approval for the helipad, provided the school also consented.

However, that approval never came, as the school advised him it is too big a risk to the learners.

“I’ve now heard that the metro is threatening to terminate Waterkloof Primary School’s lease agreement based on incorrect and unsubstantiated claims,” Pistorius told Rekord.

“These threats relate to the paved area, incorrectly alleged to have been used as a helicopter landing zone. I informed the city on 10 April that, while all other necessary consents were secured, the school declined to give its approval due to safety concerns for learners, staff, visitors, and the broader community.”

He confirmed that due to the school’s refusal, the paved area was never used as a helipad.

Pistorius said the paving and signage were erected in anticipation of the approvals, but when he was turned down, he abandoned the project.

“The school made it clear that, due to the potential risks involved with helicopter operations near a school environment, they could not grant consent,” Pistorius added.

In his letter to the city on 10 April, Pistorius confirmed that the site has never officially been registered or used as a helicopter landing zone, nor will it be in the future.

He requested that the school be allowed to continue using the paved area for parking.

This is especially crucial during the rainy season when parking becomes problematic because of the wet and muddy conditions on the site.

Pistorius expressed frustration that the school has been caught in the middle of the situation.

“Terminating the school’s lease on such unfounded grounds would severely impact the learning environment and the community at large,” he emphasised.

Pistorius says he has already initiated plans to remove the paving but is awaiting the city’s formal response by 17 April.

He further expressed his hope that his proposal will be accepted as it will be of great benefit to the school as well as its visitors.

He said the signage indicating that it was a helipad has been painted over.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the lease of the property is held in the name of the school, not the Gauteng Department of Education.

He said the letter to the school should not be construed as a threat.

“It is a contractual enforcement measure as stipulated in the signed lease agreement. The school has been given 60 days to address the issue of the helipad,” said Mashigo.

He confirmed that, as of April 11, the school had yet to respond but added that the 60-day response period had not expired.

The metro continues to await the school’s response within the stipulated timeframe.

Comments have been requested from both the Gauteng Department of Education, but none had been received at the time of publication.

– Click here to see a video of the parking terrain as on 13 April.

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