AFTER winning a High Court interdict against Kosi Bay communities threatening Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) employees and damaging iSimangaliso Wetland Park infrastructure, the park authority now stands accused of imposing ‘apartheid-style control of public coastline’.
The community has on two separate occasions incited violence with complaints of service delivery.
A statement by the Democratic Alliance (DA) suggested one of the issues was the promise of jobs in connection with a proposed new road, which never materialised.
But according to an iSimangaliso statement, neither the park nor EKZNW has a service delivery mandate.
‘Our approach is always one of conversation and co-operation, however, these issues fall outside our mandate,’ said iSimangaliso Commercial Director Terri Castis.
‘While we are sympathetic to the needs of communities living around the park, we cannot condone or permit lawlessness and the destruction of this priceless national and global asset’.
One KwaNgwanase community representative, however, said the communities are actually protesting against restrictive fishing like the banning of night fishing, as well as implementing permit-controlled beach access and leaving communities with menial jobs rather than allowing them to build and develop tourist spots.
He also stated the authorities should guide and assist community members to own lodges in Kosi Bay, ‘not just clean them’.
iSimangaliso emphasised it has created 55 000 temporary jobs and established 40 community gardens with 900 gardeners.
The Park Authority added it has paid R4-million to land claimants consistent with its land claims settlement agreement obligations; supports 178 small businesses in the area through training and investment; and has assisted 67 students to study at tertiary institutions.
The 11 respondents to the court interdict have been ordered to stop intimidating and assaulting park staff and to stop fishing in a prohibited area, hunting and interfering with vegetation.
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