Pumula ski-boat launch site gets public support
Mr Fraser said public support had been overwhelming, as is attested to by the number of signatures on the petition.
MORE than 600 people have signed the petition calling for public access to Pumula beach and the Injambili Ski-boat Club launch site.
The petition was drawn up following a meeting between Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) municipal manager, Max Mbili, senior officials and concerned parties on May 16.
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The meeting concluded with Mr Mbili resolving that matters be put on hold pending written reports, to be submitted by Friday, May 25.
After studying these submissions, he said he would call for a site inspection by the mayor, councillor Cynthia Mqwebu; relevant municipal officials; councillors; chairman of Injambili Ski-boat Club Mike Fraser, and other interested parties.
After this had been completed, council would meet and make a decision on the public beach access and the listing of the launch site.
The ski-boat launch site had been operational since the mid-1950s and under the management of the Injambili Ski-boat Club for some 44 years.
The area, at the mouth of the Intshambili River, is a popular spot for beachgoers, surfers, divers, fishermen and holidaymakers. It is also where the Sharks Board launches its vessels.
However concern was raised by Mr Fraser when the head of RNM’s community services. Mthandeni Ndwalane, stated in a letter dated November 14, 2017 that the municipality had withdrawn its support for the listing of the launch site.
There are two issues involved that need to be dealt with separately by RNM – (a) suitability of the Intshambili launch site for listing in terms of the criteria set out in GN R497 of 27 June 2014 and (b) RNM’s legal duties and undertakings to provide regular public access to the beach at Pumula.
It must be noted that in 2011, council took a decision (Exco minute EX220/02/2011) to acquire the property in question, now owned by Gail Gibbons, or servitudes over it for public access and parking.
But nothing was done to resolve this dispute. Furthermore, the municipality is under a legal duty in terms of section 18 (1) and (2) of the Integrated Coastal Management Act to create a public access servitude to the beach.
Mr Fraser said public support had been overwhelming, as is attested to by the number of signatures on the petition.
“Any decision not to support the listing of the Intshambili launch site could lead directly to the permanent closure of the site and the ski-boat club.
“This would have a profound negative effect on the needs, aspirations and livelihoods of the Pumula community, property owners and a significant sector of the general public and tourists,” he pointed out.
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Mr Fraser added that Pumula was possibly the only suburb in the RNM area that had been overlooked in terms of providing proper beach access and parking.
“We are hoping to find a solution to the problems without having to approach the High Court for an interdict, which is time consuming, expensive and could have a negative effect and place the entire national listing of ski-boat launch sites process on hold,” he said.
Anyone who would like to submit their comments or objections can email Omar Parak of the KZN Department of Environmental Affairs at omar.parak@kznedtea.gov.za or contact Mr Fraser via sms or WhatsApp at 082 460 3424.
The deadline for this is June 10.
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