R55bn KZN project 'is up to Ruwaad now'
2008-11-07 · KwaZulu-Natal
Durban - Ruwaad, the United Arab Emirates developer that wanted to build a R55 billion Amazulu World leisure and residential development on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, had been offered alternative unoccupied land, and the ball was in its court if it wanted to continue negotiations with the community, chief Khayelihle Mathaba said yesterday.
Mathaba and the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), which manages the tribal land, called a community meeting to clarify that King Goodwill Zwelithini had not approved Ruwaad's proposal and that he had no power to do so.
Mathaba said 20 000ha of land had been offered to Ruwaad.
The 16 500ha that Ruwaad had earmarked would require the relocation of 8 500 homes.
The same land would be developed by the Bhukatir Group, another Dubai investor that had the support of the community to build Macambini Sports City in a R23 billion investment.
Mathaba said: "These two companies are not the only ones that want to develop our area. There are many more. Why must we settle with people who want to relocate our community, when there are people who are prepared to continue with development without moving the people?
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"There is unoccupied land which we [told] Ruwaad they could look at. But they wanted the 16 500ha where there are people. We have spoken to them and even today they [Ruwaad] were invited. It is really up to them. Sports City only wants 1 000ha of that land."
Mathaba and the ITB said a perception had been created in the media that King Zwelithini had signed documents that would allow Ruwaad to proceed with the Amazulu World development. This was incorrect.
Judge Jerome Ngwenya, the chairman of the ITB, said the only people who could sell or give away the land were Mathaba and the local tribal council.
Premier S'bu Ndebele first announced the Dubai investment, said to be worth about R20 billion, during the state of the province address in February. The figure has since increased to R44 billion and now stands at R55 billion.
Ruwaad could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Mathaba and the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), which manages the tribal land, called a community meeting to clarify that King Goodwill Zwelithini had not approved Ruwaad's proposal and that he had no power to do so.
Mathaba said 20 000ha of land had been offered to Ruwaad.
The 16 500ha that Ruwaad had earmarked would require the relocation of 8 500 homes.
The same land would be developed by the Bhukatir Group, another Dubai investor that had the support of the community to build Macambini Sports City in a R23 billion investment.
Mathaba said: "These two companies are not the only ones that want to develop our area. There are many more. Why must we settle with people who want to relocate our community, when there are people who are prepared to continue with development without moving the people?
Save money, save your environment! For more information on the Eskom Solar Water Heating Programme, click here.
"There is unoccupied land which we [told] Ruwaad they could look at. But they wanted the 16 500ha where there are people. We have spoken to them and even today they [Ruwaad] were invited. It is really up to them. Sports City only wants 1 000ha of that land."
Mathaba and the ITB said a perception had been created in the media that King Zwelithini had signed documents that would allow Ruwaad to proceed with the Amazulu World development. This was incorrect.
Judge Jerome Ngwenya, the chairman of the ITB, said the only people who could sell or give away the land were Mathaba and the local tribal council.
Premier S'bu Ndebele first announced the Dubai investment, said to be worth about R20 billion, during the state of the province address in February. The figure has since increased to R44 billion and now stands at R55 billion.
Ruwaad could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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