Heritage Cases

Highway Property Group (hereafter referred to as “The Proponent”), acquired the subject property from the Municipality in the early 1990’s. The property was previously utilised as Harrismith’s showgrounds. Once the proponent became the owner, a truck stop for passing traffic on the N5 and N3 roads was established. The Maluti-a-Phofung municipality confirmed the property to be rezoned to Truck Stop. The truck stop has been fully operational since 1997. The property is situated within the Thabo Mofutsanyana Municipal District and the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality District. Bordering the N5 and N3 intersection the existing truck stop is located west of the intersection and comprises a truck stop and convenience store (Please refer to Addendum A: Locality Map). The property is located within the urban edge within the industrial area. Currently the N5, N3 intersection and adjacent roads are being upgraded by SANRAL, which will aid the traffic flow on the subject roads. The proponent is directly impacted by these upgrades and is in great need for additional diesel tanks in order to sufficiently provide for the increasing diesel demand. The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) granted a Retail Licence to the proponent which is regularly renewed (Please refer to Addendum J). Highway Property Group (PTY) Ltd. wishes to expand the existing truck stop on Portions 175, 176 and 177 of The Harrismith Dorpsgronden No. 131 (hereafter referred to as “The Property”). The expansion of the existing facility will entail the development of three (3) additional above-ground diesel tanks with a capacity of 500m3 each. The total of the storage capacity needed is 1500m3. Additional infrastructure includes forecourts and possible small convenience store. Employment opportunities for the local community will certainly increase not only during the construction phase, but also during the operational phase of the proposed development. The proposed expansion of the Truck Stop will trigger Section 38 (1) 3.b of the National Heritage Resources Act: Involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof. No heritage resources of significant value are expected to be present on the property as it is highly disturbed.