- Community Opposition to the N2 Wild Coast Road Project: The Amadiba Crisis Committee and traditional leaders are strongly opposing the proposed coastal route, citing concerns about unlawful procedures and potential land dispossession.
- Delayed and Incomplete Engagements by SANRAL and Authorities: Despite formal objections and community meetings, SANRAL’s responses have been delayed, and there is insufficient engagement with land rights holders on the project.
- Rejection of Village-Level Resolutions by Traditional Leaders: Traditional leaders from inland and coastal areas publicly rejected the plan to hold village meetings, insisting that full project details be presented for all landholders before any decisions.
- Legal Violations and Procedural Concerns in Meeting Notices: Legal representatives have issued formal objections concerning violations of IPILRA, insufficient notices, lack of full land disclosure, and inadequate consultation processes.
- Environmental Damage and Alternative Route Development**: The community reported destruction of a natural water supply by contractors, and efforts are underway to develop a safer inland alternative route to prevent environmental and social harm.
The Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) and traditional leaders from the rural Amadiba area have intensified their objections to SANRAL and the Department of Land Reform & Rural Development (DLRRD) over the proposed coastal route of the N2 Wild Coast Road project.
The ACC first delivered a memorandum on 12 May 2025 to the Department of Transport, raising concerns over the Mtentu Mega Bridge and the broader N2 project. SANRAL’s reply, dated 30 May, was only sent to community leaders on 19 June.
At a community meeting on 26 June attended by 120 participants, SANRAL’s response was discussed in detail. Invitations were extended to Eastern Cape MEC Mr Nqatha, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality (WMMLM) Mayor Ms Mafumbatha and SANRAL’s Regional Manager Mr Peterson for a follow-up meeting on 7 July in Jama. Only local councillors attended on behalf of the WMMLM. MEC Nqatha directed SANRAL and WMMLM to begin negotiations on the Amadiba Memorandum within 14 days, but the ACC says its 18 July follow-up email has not been acknowledged.
In a major development, all traditional leaders from inland Dangeni and coastal Umgungundlovu met on 25 July and publicly distanced themselves from SANRAL and DLRRD’s “village resolutions” meeting plan. The leaders rejected the process as unlawful and insisted that the full project be presented at community imbizos for all land rights holders before any decisions are made.
The objection comes after SANRAL and DLRRD issued undated notices announcing village-level meetings between 30 July and 1 August. Attorneys for the uMgungundlovu Traditional Council sent a formal letter of objection on 15 July, warning that the meetings could be used to “justify the effective unlawful dispossession” of community land through “deceit, coercion and manipulation”. The letter cited procedural violations of the Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act (IPILRA), including inadequate notice, lack of full disclosure of affected land parcels, absence of proper consultation at Komkhulu (the traditional decision-making forum), and no clarity on compensation or resettlement plans.
Attorney Richard Spoor, who represents several land rights holders, accused SANRAL and DLRRD of ignoring both customary law and IPILRA requirements. “The current process does not comply with the law. Any resolutions adopted will be invalid and open to challenge,” Spoor said.
The ACC has also reported that on 4 June, N2 contractors destroyed the community’s natural water supply in Khanyayo, a matter now with the Green Scorpions and the South African Human Rights Commission.
The ACC’s technical team continues to develop an alternative inland route proposal for the N2 that would better connect to local roads and avoid environmental and community harm.
Full details of SANRAL’s replies and the ACC’s responses can be accessed at [aidc.org.za](https://aidc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Amadiba-answer-SANRAL-replying-the-12-May-2025-Amadiba-Memorandum-2025-07-21-Copy-1.pdf).
