Developments in Thabazimbi scrutinized

Hennie Pauw

THABAZIMBI – So far six (and more are expected) developments in Thabazimbi and Northam might be temporarily stopped, because of suspected irregularities in authorizations.
Members of LEDET (Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism), Environmental Compliance and Enforcement department, are currently in Thabazimbi investigating the issuing of fraudulent RoD’s (Record of Decision) to a number of developments.
During the process of developing a piece of land, the developer must, through a proper environmental impact assessment, determine the impact of the development on the environment. The development must take into consideration factors such as the presence of protected plants and animals, the underlying rock formation and the availability of water (especially in the case of residential development and golf estates). A Record of Decision will be issued if the intended development comply with environmental guidelines. A RoD often also contain conditions under which the development may proceed.
This week at least six prenotices have been delivered to the owners or developers. It seems that the RoD’s issued for these developments are  fraudulent, which means that proper environmental approval for these developments have not been obtained.
A prenotice is a document handed to the developer or owner, on which they have the opportunity to react within two weeks, before a notice is served. The notice could require that land be rehabilitated or that building operations stopped. In extreme cases it might even be required that buildings under construction be demolished.
In the case of the proposed shopping complex behind Pick’n Pay the prenotice states that it will be required that the land be rehabilitated. Most of the trees in the centre of this plot were removed for the intended development. The clearing was, at the time, defended as the clearing of invader trees, mostly remnants from an old orchard. Rehabilitation requires that all the protected species be replaced. A survey was done at the time by Environment Affairs of the number and species of the trees which were removed. A petition was also drawn up by locals opposing the denuding of this land.
In an interview with advocate Phillip Monyepao and Patience Makgoka of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement on Wednesday it appeared that an investigation into fraudulent RoD’s have been underway for some time. However no arrests have been made yet. It seems, however, that the RoD’s have not been issued by an unauthorized person inside the Department.
According to Monyepao the fraudulent RoD’s have enabled developers and owners of properties to cut corners and take shortcuts in order to push developments through quickly, without the hassle of adhering to stringent conditions.
Another problem which is being addressed on a national level is regulating the  profession of environmental assessment practitioners.  If a professional body existed approving members on grounds of training and ethics, developments would be better governed and managed, says Monyepao.
The final approval of developments are done by local authorities. It has now been decided during the week that the Town Planning Section of the Municipality must verify the authenticity of all RoD’s before approving developments.
Monyepao also requested that any body who suspects of being in possession of a fraudulent  RoD, must contact Victor Mongwe (from LEDET) in Polokwane on 082 412 5605 between 1 September and 30 November.