Durban High Court becomes the scene of jubilation
"The High Court Judge Vahed has vindicated our faith in the judiciary."
IT WAS a scene of jubilation for the communities of South Durban when Judge Vahed granted them leave to appeal and reserved costs in the matter of the conversion of the Clairwood Racecourse from a recreation zone and green lung, to a logistics park.
The South Durban communities have opposed the proposed conversion since 2012.
The residents argue that the area has been in existence for hundreds of years and used for horseracing as well as frequented by thousands of people who just enjoyed the beauty of the racecourse for its biodiversity.
“Many families enjoyed the activities put out for their kids. We, the people, fought hard to ensure this beautiful garden course was not lost, however the racing fraternity sold the land without communicating this to local supporters. We have seen once historical buildings and beautiful lawns taken down by bulldozers and destroyed. The safety zone we ran to when there were explosions, fires or gas leaks was no longer accessible to the thousands of Merebank and Wentworth residents. In place we have seen massive logistic parks and huge tractors and trucks roaming our community roads and freeways,” said South Durban Community Environmental Alliance’s, Des D’Sa.
READ RELATED: MEC gives Logistics Park green light
He said the High Court Judge Vahed had vindicated their faith in the judiciary that justice, although painfully delayed, can be achieved.
“This granting of our right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal gives us an opportunity as ordinary working class people once again to exercise our right to place our arguments before five judges. We agree that a higher court might come up with a different opinion, which the Judge Vahed agreed with, stating that his granting of the appeal was granted because the applicant’s argument was put forward very strongly,” added D’Sa.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
