Sizwe development on hold
"If the Jukskei Tributary is altered it could affect Alexandra downstream.”
The proposed Linksfield Mixed Use Development has been put on hold indefinitely.
The decision was made following a Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality tribunal hearing on October 4.
Clr Bill Rundle, Ward 19, said the choice to postpone the development was made after the tribunal board noticed “significant changes in the original township application”.
Some of the changes in the application included the addition of a petrol station and the reduction of roads and residential units in the development.
Rundle said the development will result in construction on the land around Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital.
He said the changes were not brought to the public’s attention and must be re-advertised.
Also read: Contradictions abound regarding Sizwe Hospital development
The number of houses planned to be built on the land has been reduced to 5 000 from the original 8 000.
“I wouldn’t call the postponement a victory. But through this ruling it can be seen that officials are making people compliant,” said Rundle.
Since the proposal of the development in 2011, a number of concerns were raised by the community regarding heritage sites, graves and the natural environment.
Rundle believes there are more than 6 000 graves on the land.
The graves are of people who died from infectious diseases ranging from anthrax, smallpox, bubonic plague and leprosy.
Marian Laserson, a spokesperson for the community, said the community is also concerned about the impact the development will have on the environment.
She said the land around the hospital is home to wildlife as well as indigenous grass.
Laserson said Bankenveld grass found around the hospital can’t be easily found in the surrounding suburbs.
Rundle said another environmental concern is the possible disturbance of the Jukskei tributary flow.
Also read: Conservation Society visits Sizwe graves
“If the Jukskei tributary is altered it could affect Alexandra downstream,” said Rundle.
On a site visit to the land around Sizwe Hospital on October 3 Laserson also pointed out medical dump sites.
She believes these dumpsites contain items used by infectious patients.
Laserson said the community is not opposed to everything of the development.
Jon Busser, a town planner for the development, told the community at the site visit that the graves would remain untouched and not built over.
Rundle estimates the community has six months before the next hearing.
He said once the changes have been advertised community members will have 28 days to raise new objections.
“Now that the development has been postponed the community needs to rally together and object to anything they don’t like or which won’t benefit the community,” said Rundle.
He urged them to go through all the information with a “fine-toothed comb”.
