Heritage Cases

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), the Applicant, is upgrading of the rural access road D4407 between Hluvukani and Timbavati (7.82km) and road D4416 between Timbavati and road P194/1 near Welverdiend (3.37km) in the Bohlabela region of the Mpumalanga Province. This was without first obtaining the required Environmental Authorisation (EA) from the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA). An application in terms of S24G of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) was submitted in August 2020 and forms part of a different application process. A positive 24G EA has since been received. After consultation with SANRAL during construction regarding the position of an intersection, it was discovered that the intended position of the intersection (D4416 and R531) does not conform to SANRAL standards and must be moved. Therefore, a new wayleave application has been submitted on 19 June 2020 considering the distances between the existing intersection and the college entrance. The new road deviation and intersection had not commenced during the 24G activities therefore a new BAR process is being undertaken for this section. The start of the section under review in this report, is at the junction of D4409 and D4416 and ends at a proposed location on the R531 (P194). It is proposed that the original designed alignment be changed to accommodate the new position of the intersection The start of the section under review in this report, is at the junction of D4409 and D4416 and ends at a proposed location on the R531 (P194). It is proposed that the original designed alignment be changed to accommodate the new position of the intersection. The reasoning for the upgrade is to improve interconnectivity between the two villages and pre-existing tar roads. The upgrade to tar is predicted to decrease travel time and reduce damage to local residents’ vehicles. The upgrade will increase the provinces transport network aiding in the decrease time for residents and logistics companies alike. It has been highlighted by the Heritage Specialists that there are no Historical Structures, Burial Grounds, and/or graves located in the new road section. The paleontology is assessed as being entirely of Insignificant/Zero sensitivity.