PermitID:
3744
PermitDate:
Thursday, September 29, 2022 to Friday, September 29, 2023
NHRA:
Activities:
SiteReference:
Conditions:
An application was lodged by Vhubvo for the renewal of a previously Issued Permit (Permit ID: 2961) for Exhumation and Relocation of Ancestral Graves in eMbobeni Village within Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (formerly known Bizana) Local Municipality of Alfred Ndzo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Families who resided in the servitude were relocated and subsequently requested that their family graves should be relocated as well. The graves are to be relocated based on cultural requirements as per the family’s requests. 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.
This permit is allocated in terms of section 36(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act, any other grave not covered under the said legislative framework must be permitted by the relevant permitting authority. The following permit conditions must be adhered to:
This permit is allocated in terms of section 36(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act, any other grave not covered under the said legislative framework must be permitted by the relevant permitting authority. The following permit conditions must be adhered to:
Conditions:
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If the permit holder is not to be present on the site at all times then the heritage authority must be provided with the names and qualifications of the authorized representatives.
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Adequate recording methods as specified in the Regulations and Guidelines pertaining to the National Heritage Resources Act must be employed. Note that the position of all excavations and objects collected must be marked on a plan of site.
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A standard site record form must be lodged on SAHRIS.
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Human remains must at all times be handled with respect and graves should not be disturbed except where unavoidable. The consultation procedures as indicated in the Regulations and the National Heritage Resources Act must be observed as appropriate. The recommendations for removal of graves and exhumations and for re-burial stipulated in SAHRA's Policy 'What to do when graves are uncovered', section 3, must be observed as far as possible.
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A permit report is due by 30 September 2023. A preliminary report must be submitted within three months from the date this permit is issued.
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All remains recovered, including relics and artefacts, as well as field notes and records, must be kept with the skeletal material and be curated at a local municipal cemetery.
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Reprints of all published papers or copies of theses and/or reports resulting from this work must be lodged with the relevant provincial heritage authority and SAHRA.
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If a published report has not appeared within three years of the lapsing of this permit, the report required in terms of the permit will be made available to researchers on request.
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It is the responsibility of the permit holder to obtain permission from the landowner for each visit, and conditions of access imposed by the landowner must be observed.
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It is the responsibility of the permit holder to fill in excavations and protect sites during and after excavation to the satisfaction of the heritage authority and the landowner.
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The heritage authority shall not be liable for any losses, damages or injuries to persons or properties as a result of any activities in connection with this permit.
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The heritage authority reserves the right to cancel this permit by notice to the permit holder.
PermitFeePaidDate:
29/09/2022
PDF of Permit:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Eros Vuyani_CaseID19019.pdf | 99.2 KB |
