About 2 000 objections were received regarding the proposed business and housing development earmarked at the site next to the Sizwe Hospital in Sandringham.
On 2 October, interested parties visited the site to discuss the reasons for objections by local residents.
Following the visit by the government and other stakeholders, Ward 73 councillor, Irene Rugheimer who was also part of the delegation there, said the objections were due to the graves located on the site.
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Rugheimer said the matter of the development has been going for a number of years with an environmental impact assessment team from the City of Joburg having already been conducted.
As a result, many residents put forward objections to the development, she said.
“The greatest objections were regarding the estimated 6 000 graves located where the development is proposed to be,” said Rugheimer.
“The issue is that no one knows the exact number of graves on the site or where they are all located. It is claimed that the environmental health issues have also not been properly evaluated.”
After the environmental assessment, Rugheimer said the developer’s application was reviewed by the township’s board and a tribunal was scheduled.
During the site visit last Monday, a considerable number of concerned objectors were accompanied by the applicant’s attorney who, according to the councillor, showed little empathy of the objections.
“Residents were adamant and insisted that the applicant’s attorney is taken to the site of many of the graves as his knowledge was restricted to his paper study and not a site visit.
“Senior officials from the City who sat on the tribunal were determined to be fair and resolute in dealing with the concerns raised by the objectors,” she said.
On the second day of the tribunal, held in the old council chambers, both parties argued their points, said Rugheimer.
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She said the applicants were advised to re-advertise their application as amendments under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, bylaws and regulations were substantial.
The original objectors would remain registered and new objections can now be lodged, said Rugheimer adding that while development is essential to the growth of the city, it should not be to the detriment of the residents.
Details: Irene Rugheimer 072 409 6594.
