Heritage Cases

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDTEA) in their correspondence dated 27/10/2016 (Refer to uploaded document) gave exemption to Nquthu Local Municipality for the upgrade of the existing gravel road L1970 at the South-east side of the Sibiyela River, as it does not constitute an activity which is identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D of National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998) and therefore, does not require an Environmental Authorisation. The upgrade of the existing track (2.89 km in length) from the T-junction with Road D1301 at the North-west side of the Sibiyela River did not form part of the exemption. The road upgrade application is a community based project that is funded by a Government Grant. Nquthu Local Municipality was under pressure to show expenditure to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). The Municipality then appointed Anderson Vogt Consulting Engineers as the Project Manager’s and instructed them to continue with construction activities on the existing track at the North-west side of the Sibiyela River, however these area of construction activities was not included in the exemption letter by DEDTEA dated 27/10/2016. A directive in terms of section 28(4) of NEMA (No. 107 of 1998) as amended in respect of the upgrade of existing track (2.89 km in length) and gravel road L1970 (1.67km in length) in Mantuli was issued by DEDTEA to the Nquthu Local Municipality on 12/01/2017 (Refer to uploaded document) to cease construction activities pending the application outcome. The upgrade of the road and installation of new stormwater drainage infrastructure will improve road access for the local residents, improve road drainage systems and create employment opportunities to the previously disadvantaged local communities during the construction phase of the project.