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The Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) has voiced strong opposition to the possible deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the Mtentu bridge construction project, as suggested by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. In a statement issued on 9 September 2024, the ACC expressed concerns that this move would escalate tensions between the community and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).
The ACC alleges that calls for military involvement have been in the works since 2021, with former Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula hinting at the possibility of sending soldiers to secure the construction site. “If we have to bring soldiers here, we will bring them,” Mbalula said during a 2022 interview with SABC, a sentiment echoed by officials in private discussions with the ACC.
The ACC argues that deploying the army to resolve domestic concerns is not only unnecessary but also unconstitutional without proper parliamentary approval. They cited Sections 18 and 201(3) of the Defence Act 42 of 2002, questioning whether the president had informed Parliament and provided justifications for deploying the SANDF in Amadiba.
Johan Fourie, a Facebook follower of ACC Facebook page had this to say “If soldiers are deployed under these circumstances then we are nothing better than a dictatorship!!! The only reason why the government refuses to listed and make amendments to the project is because they are protecting vested interests by a small group of politicians, businessmen and the elite. Without an agreement this will become a forced, top-down development project which is associated with colonialism.”
“The only disaster looming over the Mtentu bridge project is SANRAL’s refusal to engage with the community,” the ACC said. The committee clarified that it does not oppose the project but is advocating for necessary changes that would benefit the community, particularly the Jama people who are directly affected by the bridge’s construction.
The ACC claims that SANRAL has consistently ignored their concerns and has refused to attend community meetings or respond to letters detailing grievances. They also argue that SANRAL has formed alliances with business forums and politically connected individuals who dominate local contracts, sidelining the community.
The ACC called on Minister of Defence Thandi Modise to visit Amadiba and meet with local residents to hear their concerns firsthand. The committee also invited the media to cover the ongoing dispute and investigate the true nature of the tensions surrounding the project.
“The community wants answers,” the ACC emphasized, criticizing SANRAL’s decision to send police to the construction site as an inadequate response. The committee fears that deploying the SANDF would further alienate the community and undermine the democratic principle of inclusive development.
As tensions rise, the ACC reiterated its commitment to dialogue and transparency, urging all stakeholders to come to the table and find a sustainable solution for the N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway project. They also emphasized that no one in Amadiba is demanding extortion fees from SANRAL, countering allegations of criminal activity linked to the project.
“There is no war in Amadiba,” the ACC concluded, stressing that the real crisis lies in SANRAL’s failure to engage with the community. They called on political leaders and civil society to intervene and prevent the militarization of the situation.
