A GROUP of more than 300 disgruntled residents from Clairwood marched to the eThekwini Town planning offices to protest against the proposed rezoning of the Clairwood Logistic Park.

The protest started early this morning, April 4, with protesters carrying placards displaying messages of dissatisfaction.

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The aim of the protest was to hand over to officials the signed objections against the proposed rezoning of the area.

However, shortly after the protest, eThekwini Municipality issued a statement reminding the community that the proposed development plan is not related to land rezoning.

Clad in T-shirts emblazoned with messages, “We are proud to die for our beloved Clairwood”, residents sang revolutionary songs while waiting for an official to receive their objections.

Since the inception of the consultation process on the amendment to the Land Use Scheme in the Clairwood area to Special Zone 40: Logistics, residents have been at loggerheads with the officials as they believe that the proposed rezoning of the logistic park will have a negative impact to residential areas and heritage sites.

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One of the long-serving members of the community, Ashika Asunda, said her historical roots are deeply grounded in Clairwood.

“We are the [descendants] of the 1860 [indentured labourers]. Clairwood is our rich culture and history, and we are not willing to give it up to the municipality to put a logistic park. Clairwood was built by the indentured labourers. Schools, churches, mosques, temples were not built by eThekwini Municipality.  We are not moving. They can take the logistic park to somewhere else,” she said.

The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) application for Clairwood comprises:

• The introduction of a new Special Zone
• The adoption of a Master Plan.

In addition the eThekwini municipality emphasises that no rezoning of land is proposed.

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Protesters claim that the proposed development plan of the logistic park will deprive them of their heritage rights to the area they have lived in for many years.

However, in a statement, eThekwini Municipality said the purpose of the amendment in the Municipal Land Use Management Scheme to Logistics Park is to ensure better management of the area, which has evolved over time from a residential to a mixed use Logistics Park, in keeping with the already adopted Local Area Plan.

Deputy head of the Development Facilitation Department, Lekha Allopi, said, “It must be noted that the plan will bring with it many benefits for the area, including investment in infrastructure such as new and improved roads, electricity and stormwater drainage,” said Allopi.

Allopi added that communities were concerned about preserving the area.

“The master plan aims to preserve the cultural and heritage sites and introduce a more sustainable, quality neighbourhood,” said Allopi.

Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association submitted the objections

Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association (CRRA) president Mervyn Reddy said the Clairwood handed over more than 2000 objections.

The objections were received from:

• residents,
• churches and schools
• businesses
• organisations and various stakeholders.

“Today’s demonstration of residents indicated the passion of people wanting to continue a life in Clairwood with their families. Worship sites led by priests, pastors and maulanas stand firm in protecting our religious sites which are historical and more than 130 years old. This also includes our schools and various cultural organisations and legitimate businesses.

“We demand that the municipality invests in homes for people in Clairwood and restore the area to fully residential,” said Reddy.

The objections were submitted to the municipality and received by a representative from eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba’s office and the head of Planning, Lihle Phewa.

“It was indicated that the municipality will get back to the CRRA within four days,” Reddy added.

Meanwhile, the municipality is inviting all interested and affected parties to provide written comments on the amendment to the Land Use Scheme in writing.

The document can be found on https://www.durban.gov.za/pages/residents/lums-adverts and comments close on April  8. Emails can be sent to noreply.dfdobjection@durban.gov.za

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