Anger over Wild Coast toll road

Durban - An environmental group on Wednesday criticised Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka for reportedly announcing government's approval of a toll route through the Wild Coast.

Shiceka did not have legislative authority to approve the project, Sustaining the Wild Coast (SWC) director Val Payn said in a statement.

The organisation said CCA Environmental, the company tasked with compiling the environmental impact report, had not completed it. CCA Environmental had recently told them it anticipated submitting the final report at the beginning of August this year.

"We are astounded and puzzled by latest news reports that the government, with the support of the South African National Roads Agency Limited, has given approval for the N2 Wild Coast Toll road," Payn said.

Shiceka's spokesperson Vuyelwa Vika was recently quoted by the Daily Dispatch as saying that Shiceka's approval of the project was justified by the economic spin-offs in an area of severe poverty.

The paper also quoted Vika saying that consultation would take place in the next three months, during which communities and environmentalists would be given an opportunity to air their views.

Vika was not immediately available to comment on Wednesday.

The toll road, which would start in Buffalo City, would make its way through the Transkei to Isipingo, south of Durban. It was supposed to have been constructed 10 years ago. The plan was shelved following fierce opposition from environmentalists and Pondoland communities.

Environmentalists argued it would have a negative environmental impact as it would run through sections of the proposed Wild Coast National Park. Some Pondoland communities feared they would lose land.

Payn said an environmental impact assessment would ensure the best interests of the public were served and that proposed developments were sustainable.

"President Zuma has repeatedly stated that job creation, rural development and public consultation are key priorities for his government, and that people should let him know if his government makes bad decisions."

Before development decisions were made, communities had to be properly consulted. Payn said those along the Wild Coast were in desperate need of better health and educational facilities, better roads, improved local government capacity and an end to corruption.

SWC was trying to secure a meeting with Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica to raise its concerns about the toll road.

- Sapa