Recent activity near Sizwe have community concerned
“Until the outcome of the tribunal hearing has been announced, nothing can be done to the land.”
Recent activity on land neighbouring the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital have community members and ward councillors up in arms.
Community members told the NEWS on April 4 that gravel roads had been graded on the open property.
Concern from the community stems from their fear of graves on the open land being disturbed by the proposed Linksfield Mixed Use Development.
Activists and ward councillors fear the graded roads have been made over graves on the land.
When the NEWS visited the land, Clr Irene Rügheimer (Ward 81) said she did not know who had graded the roads.
Clr Bill Rundle (Ward 19) said many of the individuals buried on the land died from contagious diseases.
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The diseases included leprosy, the bubonic plague, tuberculosis and anthrax.
Activists opposing the development allege there are 6 000 bodies buried on the land.
Rundle said the graves are both single and mass graves.
During a tribunal hearing in October 2017, the development was postponed.
A second tribunal hearing was held earlier this year but the outcome of the development was not announced.
“Until the outcome of the tribunal hearing has been announced, nothing can be done to the land,” explained Rügheimer.
Rundle said even once the outcome has been announced there is still an appeal process to follow.
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“Our biggest concern is that the diseases and viruses could become active again following the recent activity,” he said.
