Former councillor denies damaging greenbelt

AN investigation is ongoing to determine whether any protected species were affected when a site was being cleared of vegetation in preparation for construction at Cato Crescent in Amanzimtoti.

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The 13 000m² site borders a greenbelt that runs parallel to the Amanzimtoti River and is owned by former ward 90 councillor, Sunil Brijmohan. Neighbours had raised concerns that the greenbelt had been destroyed and sewage pipes damaged after raw sewage was left leaking following work done by heavy machinery. There were fears that the river might be contaminated by the overflow. An order to stop operations pending an investigation was subsequently issued by the municipality. Brijmohan said work to clear the site started two weeks ago and when the environmental inspectors went to stop operations, that work had been completed.

Ward 97 councillor, André Beetge, said he visited the site after the matter was brought to his attention by some concerned Cato Crescent residents.

“As far as the rumoured removal of indigenous trees is concerned, the site plan, which in essence is a surveyor’s draft, would indicate that excavation did not extend into the conservation line. We were unable to confirm whether any protected species were removed. The developer is, through a local architect and legal advisor, in communication with relevant municipal departments regarding the 14-unit development within a portion of the larger borders of the property,” said Beetge.

Brijmohan said he did not understand what the concerns were about as he believes he has done everything lawfully.

“An environmental impact assessment was done by my architect and nothing I have done here has been detrimental to residents of Cato Crescent. Even with the broken sewage pipes, they were not supposed to be on my property to start with. All the work that has been carried out has been within the confines of my property and the existing beacons,” said Brijmohan.

Of the 13 000m², he said only about 2 500m² will be used to build on and he will donate the rest to be used for nature conservation. Asked if there had been any need to clear the entire stand of trees if he plans to donate it anyway, Brijmohan said the removal of trees was necessary to start building.

“You can’t build a house on top of a tree. You clear the site first and then you build. When all the construction has been completed, I will plant the trees again,” he said.

Barend Groen, who shares a fence with the property, said he could not understand why there was a need to clear the entire stand if less than half of it was to be used to build on.

“Some of them were very old indigenous trees and one of them even had an eagle’s nest on it. I really cannot understand why there was a need to destroy all this beautiful vegetation if it is not going to be developed,” said Groen.

Because of the sewage overflow, residents have been complaining of an infestation of green bottle flies in their houses. Questions sent to eThekwini Municipality regarding the site had not been answered at the time of publication.  

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