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The Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) has expressed strong disappointment over the failure of MEC for Transport and Chair of the Political Oversight Committee, Mr. Xolile Nqatha, to attend a promised community meeting on Friday, November 1, at the Lundini Community Hall. The meeting was meant to address community concerns over the N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway project following a blockade of the Mtentu bridge construction on October 16. Instead of engaging with the local community as expected, Mr. Nqatha held a separate “stakeholder meeting” at the Mtentu bridge site boardroom, 25 kilometers away from the designated venue.
According to the ACC, SANRAL’s Wild Coast District Manager, Ms. Nwabisa Nxumisa, dismissed community concerns at this alternative meeting, alleging that “the people of Amadiba are happy with the project” and blaming the ACC as a “violent organization” for issues surrounding the project.
Key Concerns Remain Unaddressed
The ACC listed critical issues for Mr. Nqatha’s attention, which remain unresolved:
- Lack of Community Representation: Villages are not allowed to elect members of the Public Liaison Committees (PLCs), resulting in leaders, such as a known proponent of the Xolobeni mining project, taking roles without adequate community representation.
- Alleged Job Selling: Reports indicate that job opportunities at the bridge site are being sold to people from outside the region, with an alleged price tag of R5,000.
- Dismissals and Legal Issues: In August, 30 local workers were reportedly dismissed unfairly, with their case currently pending at the CCMA. Additionally, a young member of the Jama committee faces legal action, allegedly framed by a local SAPS officer for challenging SANRAL’s practices.
- Dangeni Quarry Ownership Dispute: Long-standing disputes over the quarry, allegedly involving influential business interests, have prevented fair access for local businesses.
- Lack of SANRAL Response: SANRAL has not attended community meetings since February and has failed to respond to written complaints from local residents.
Long-Term Displacement Issues
The ACC also highlighted unresolved resettlement issues. Families displaced over five years ago remain in “temporary structures,” and there has been no progress on a promised Relocation Action Plan (RAP), a legal requirement for the project. The ACC has filed a lawsuit against SANRAL, citing this lack of compliance.
Escalating Project Costs and Calls for Accountability
The ACC raised concerns over the ballooning cost of the N2 project, which has reportedly surged from R8 billion in 2017 to R23 billion as of 2024. “Where is the Treasury? Where is the Auditor General?” asked the ACC, questioning the lack of oversight in managing the project’s budget.
In 2023, the ACC and its technical advisors met with National Treasury, proposing an alternative route through the center of Amadiba, which they argue would offer better connectivity, lower costs, and more local job opportunities. This route, they contend, would avoid impacting critical biodiversity zones along the coast, minimizing environmental risks and potential international backlash.
The ACC insists that inclusive development is essential and calls for SANRAL to engage with the Amadiba community in good faith, saying, “SANRAL must choose whether to steamroll the community or change and engage constructively.”
