Grave concerns on Sizwe Development eased
LINKSFIELD – Fears that the possible exhumation of human remains could cause a disease outbreak have been allayed.
There has been much speculation as to what is happening on the property of the Sizwe Development.
The development project in north-eastern Johannesburg has earned the wrath of historians and residents, who say it will be built over the graves of thousands who died of the plague and illnesses such as smallpox, leprosy and tuberculosis. A number of residents in Linksfield, Sandringham, Sydenham, Glenhazel, Fairmount, Senderwood, Silvamonte, Modderfontein, Marais Steyn Park and Edenvale have objected to the development.
The development by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements is a multibillion-rand project that will include 10 085 residential units, from upper-end penthouse apartments to housing for low-income earners. It will include business parks, convenience retail spaces, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, a hospital, schools, a university and a retirement village.
Rand Water has been doing some work on the site to lay the earthing cable to the concrete electrical box which will have electrical controls to assist the cathodic protection.
Recently Ward 81 councillor Irene Rügheimer conducted an inspection with Jan Vorster and Precious Hlatshwayo from Rand Water Board on the site. According to Vorster, the existing pipeline on the site was constructed in 1958 and prior to this, the servitude was applied for and recognised. The pipeline runs from Bedfordview to Modderfontein.
Rügheimer said patients were buried there from 1895 to 1957 and the line was built after most of the burial sites were established.
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“As no grave was disturbed then, they can’t be disturbed now as Rand Water is only working in their designated servitude plus the earthing cable is running alongside the road, possibly in the road servitude,” she said.
Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases allayed residents’ fears that the possible exhumation of human remains because of the proposed Linksfield mixed-use development might cause a disease outbreak.
Rügheimer said residents should not be worried about anything on the site as they will be consulted if any developments take place. “Residents can help us if they see anybody dumping rubbish on the site and report it. For now, the development is not going to take place and we will let all residents know when we have made a decision,” she said.
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