Public Policy Correspondent

THE Tongaat community living near the controversial La Mercy site earmarked for the new King Shaka International Airport has joined a growing chorus of business and civic organisations calling for a speedy resolution to a land dispute.

In a desperate move to resolve the impasse between KwaZuluNatal's provincial government and Airports Company of SA (Acsa) the community has written a letter to President Thabo Mbeki asking him to intervene in the matter.

Their request is aimed at preventing a protracted court battle following Acsa's threat to sue the provincial government for planning to expropriate its land.

The Tongaat Civic Association said yesterday it supported the provincial government as the land expropriation would fasttrack the establishment of the industrial development zone at La Mercy, north of Durban.

Association president Siva Naidoo said surrounding communities faced with rising unemployment had a "direct interest" in the development.

"We are enthusiastically looking forward to the launch of the La Mercy project. We support the expropriation led by comrade Mike Mabuyakhulu (KwaZuluNatal's public works MEC ) because this takes the project one step further ," he said.

Presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo confirmed receipt of the letter, and said that "the president will respond to the matter in due course".

The dispute arose after Mabuyakhulu issued a notice in the Provincial Gazette stating government's intention to expropriate the 206899ha site.

The provincial government wants to build an industrial development zone in the area, with the new airport expected to be operational in 2006 .

But Acsa said it was not consulted prior to the notice in the gazette, and that it planned to challenge the validity of the expropriation notice.

Mar 25 2004 07:25:37:000AM Khulu Phasiwe Business Day 1st Edition