Developers refuse to raze unauthorised KwaZulul-Natal resorts

Developers of unauthorised holiday resorts in KwaZulu-Natal's World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, have refused to demolish them. The Durban High Court on November 23 ordered four holiday resorts developers to demolish their resorts because they were illegal and built in a protected area.

Simon Tembe on Monday said he would not demolish his property, and that developers would mobilise the community against the iSimangaliso officials.

According to the court ruling, if the four developers failed to demolish their properties before January 1, conservation authorities would tear them down, restore the damaged bush and recover the costs from the developers.

"We believe that the court was wrong to rule against us. We followed all the relevant channels before we started building. We will continue fighting because we have spent over R3-million," said Tembe.

Tembe said they had obtained permission from a local induna (traditional leader) before they started building.

"Our plans were also submitted to the magistrate in Ingwavuma who allowed us to build," said Tembe.

The four resorts were built in a protected area in Kosi Bay.

Other people ordered to demolish their buildings were Madolwane Mthembu, Mkhawu Mthembu and Cecil Henry Berkhout of Springs, who was developing the Inkwazi Resort at Bhanga Nek in the coastal forest reserve section.

iSimangaliso officials were not immediately available to comment.

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