KZN wetland developers won't demolish

Developers of unauthorised holiday resorts in KwaZulu-Natal's World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, failed to demolish the structures before December 31, as ordered by the court.

"Those who have defied the high court orders will then be dealt with through available legal processes, and according to a responsible demolition and restoration plan," iSimangaliso CEO

Andrew Zaloumis said on Tuesday.

The Durban High Court on November 23 ordered four developers to demolish their holiday resorts because they were illegal and built in a protected area.

According to the ruling, if the four failed to demolish their properties before December 31, conservation authorities would tear them down, restore the damaged bush and recover the costs from the developers.

The court ordered three unauthorised developers in the ecologically sensitive coastal forest to demolish their structures and rehabilitate the sites. The fourth one was given until April 30.

"Thus far there has been no compliance," Zaloumis said.

None of the developers were immediately available to comment.

Speaking last week, one of the four, Simon Tembe said they would not demolish and that the court was wrong to rule against them.

Inet-Bridge

Posted at 10:17AM Jan 06, 2010 by Editor in Industry  |