The portion in question houses some 7 000 graves, a number of archaeological sites and a pristine Bankenveld grassland.
Very little seems to be known about the development and questions asked by the NEWS have gone unanswered.
The proposed development was published in a Government tender bulletin in December 2011.
The advertised tender called for proposals for an integrated residential development on the Rietfontein Farm.
Prequalification requirements stated that the development proposal should include an array of housing opportunities such as affordable housing units.
In June, Mr Jack Bloom, caucus leader of the Democratic Alliance Gauteng Provincial Legislature, requested that Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Local Government and Housing and former mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mrs Ntombi Mekgwe, answer questions on the secretive development.
In her response she confirmed that Equicent Infrastructure Development was chosen for the project.
Mrs Mekqwe said the bidder was a consortium of companies with extensive experience.
She said that the bidder also demonstrated an understanding of the residential market by providing proposals for accommodation at affordable price packages and products that would be appropriate for the volatile market.
The developer also proposed to build two schools, a community centre, a youth centre, four community parks, a hospital, a police and fire station at no cost to government.
Mrs Mekgwe confirmed in her response “the proposal will see the development of some 8 000 residential opportunities across the gap or affordable market”.
“Furthermore, the location of the site lends itself well to integrated and infill development in line with government’s comprehensive plan for sustainable human settlement,” she said.
The 171 hectare property is worth R80-million.
Some of the concerns raised by Clr Rundle include the impact the development will have on traffic for surrounding suburbs of Edenvale and Bedfordview.
“There are a large number of indigenous plants on the property, some which cannot be found anywhere else in Johannesburg, including a rare miniature orchid,” Clr Rundle said.
Other fears for the development of the property include rumours that animal carcases infected with Anthrax were buried on the property.
“No-one knows what’s buried on the property,” Clr Rundle said.
He also raised concerns of what will be done with the 7 000 graves on the property and whether there was a quarantine period in place before developments could take place.
“There was no community participation for the proposed developments,” Clr Rundle said.
“When developments start, Edenvale residents will not know what hit them,” he said.
According to ward 72 councillor, Clr Steven Kruger, officials from Region E, under which the property falls, did not know about the development plans.
“It seems to be going ahead from provincial level without the participation of local municipalities,” Clr Kruger said.
Sizwe Hospital (previously known as Rietfontein Infectious Diseases Hospital) was established to treat diseases such as the plague, smallpox, leprosy and TB.
It is believed that some 7 000 victims of smallpox, leprosy, plague and syphilis were buried in the cemetery, divided into black, white and Jewish sections.
It is believed that a large portion of the proposed development will take place over the cemetery.
In 1904 the plague broke out in Johannesburg and more than 1 000 patients were treated at Sizwe Hospital.
Those who died were buried in a separate plague cemetery in the grounds, in graves demarcated only by numbers. In 1939 an outbreak of smallpox hit Johannesburg.
Patients were dying at the rate of 20 to 30 a day and were buried on the property.
As a precaution against the disease lingering, quick lime was poured into the graves.
The leprosy and Jewish cemeteries have not been located and the hospital’s burial register has been missing for years.
The NEWS sent enquiries regarding the proposed development to the National Department of Public Works, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, the City of Johannesburg and the director for Region E, Ms Liziwe Ntshinga-Makoro.
Enquiries were sent on Monday, July 8 and comment was requested from all departments by Friday, July 12.
No comment has been received.
