Heritage Cases

As part of environmental authorisation, a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment was undertaken by PGS Heritage & Grave Relocation Consultants in 2012 and revealed no archaeological sites that need to be relocated. However, a reconnaissance of the site revealed that there are 37 graves located within the area proposed for the Eskom power transmission lines. As part of mitigation efforts, NGT Holdings was appointed to manage the permit application process, the relocation and reburial of all graves that have been identified. Mr. Nkosinathi Tomose of NGT Holdings was granted archaeological permit for the exhumation and reinterment of 37 graves located on the servitudes proposed for Eros Vuyani Neptune 400 kV power transmission line, Eastern Cape Province. As the responsible heritage authority, SAHRA BGG Unit duly approved this permit on the 02nd of July 2019 (Permit ID: 2961). This grave relocation permit was valid from 01/05/2019 to 02/07/2021. Eskom was however supposed to complete this exhumation process in mid-2021. Following delays caused by Coronavirus COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown restrictions, the project could not go ahead as planned. This then meant that some of the grave sites, approximately 12 graves could not be exhumed and re-entered to the displeasure of the respective families. The inability to relocate these graves have negatively affect the relationship between Eskom and the affected families. Vhubvo Consultancy has since been appointed as the heritage specialists for the project to manage the entire permit renewal process, the relocation and reburial of all 12 graves. It is thus requested that the permit for the remaining 12 graves be renewed for another year, and the permit holder be changed from Mr. Nkosinathi Tomose of NGT Holdings to Mr Munyadziwa Magoma of Vhubvo Consultancy Cc.