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Rejected deal: KZN premier in hot water

PROTEST: The Emacambini community came out in numbers to protest against water project. 05/11/08. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.
PROTEST: The Emacambini community came out in numbers to protest against water project. 05/11/08. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.

Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele might be taken to task when he accounts to the ANC on the exact status of the multibillion rand AmaZulu World project that has been rejected by a local chief

Ndebele signed the R44billion deal with Dubai developer Ruwaad and has the support of King Goodwill Zwelethini.

But the community of Macambini, which owns the land, has already struck a deal with rival Dubai developer Sport Cities International (SCI).

The community has empowered Inkosi Khayelihle Mathaba to sign with SCI. But SCI has still to make a presentation to the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITC).

The community said this week that SCI asked only to develop their Macambini Sport City project on 1000ha of land while Ruwaad wants 16500ha, which will result in 8000 to 10000 people being forced off their land.

Yesterday the ANC leadership also expressed its reservations about the NdebeleRuwaad development.

ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu said the community's concerns were similar to the ones the party had.

"We were also briefed by the government (Ndebele) about the proposed Ruwaad-AmaZulu World and we had reservations," Mchunu said.

"Our concerns were similar to those of the community when looking at the size of the projects.

"We lodged these concerns when the government made a presentation to us last year. All we knew was that it would bring potential job opportunities for the province."

Mchunu said the party had asked the government to ensure that the information was disseminated among the people who would be affected.

"We are still waiting for the feedback," he said.

Mchunu said the ANC did not want to see the acts of "apartheid again", with people being "forced off their land without their concern".

Lawyer Bonke Dumisa said a business venture such as this was most welcome but often tended to "benefit a minority".

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