By Lubabalo Ngcukana

A major development strategy to change the face of Port St Johns over the next 10 years has caused a bitter dispute between the municipality and locals.

The stakeholders – including the ratepayers’ association, residents and business people – have accused the municipality of being autocratic.

The development, which will see the entire town of Port St Johns transformed, was approved by council in July. Plans include turning the sports field into an R88million shopping centre, construction of a waterfront at R24m, a naval base housing development costing R184m and the development of the Bulolo Dam Golf Estate at a cost of R1.35 billion.

Stakeholders claim the municipality approved the plans without consulting them.

Now residents are threatening to move from the Transkei town they have lived in for decades.

Businessman John Costello accused the municipality of not involving stakeholders in crucial decisions that affect their livelihood, and said he was tempted to pack his bags and leave but would stay because he wanted the best for the people of Port St Johns.

“The municipality here think they can bully us into doing whatever they like. What we are saying is that, as ratepayers, we should have been informed.”

Costello said the municipality needed to focus on more pressing issues such as water shortages and sewerage problems.

Mathew Enslin , owner of Wettham Hill Guest House , said he had raised problems in the town with the municipality, but to no avail.

“The municipality has not done anything to change the situation of the town, but now they talk of building shopping malls. They should be focusing on the dilapidated infrastructure first.”

Kevin O’Reilly, chairperson of the Port St Johns Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, said he was not against development, but against the lack of consultation.

He was also worried about the sustainability of the plan as the entire town was a flood-threatened area.

“What I find frustrating is that everything is being politicised and everything has political implications.”

Municipal manager Zola Hewu , however, disputed claims that the municipality had not consulted stakeholders. They were invited to take part in the process, he said, during a public participation meeting, “but they chose not to participate and now the municipality is going ahead and will implement its turnaround plans”.

The municipality has already secured funding of R11m for the waterfront development from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and another R60m from the Department of Roads and Transport for road infrastructure.

Port St Johns municipal spokesperson Nonceba Madikizela said they were very excited about the plan as it would attract billions in investments and create jobs and opportunities.

“This development will give the town an opportunity to attract investments and development and assist in improving the social economic challenges of the inhabitants.” Madikizela also refuted claims that stakeholders were not involved in the planning process.

Source: Daily Dispatch