Amanzimtoti residents raise concerns over impact of multi-million development

A MULTI-MILLION development, once hailed as a promising economic boost for Amanzimtoti, has since morphed into a source of distress for some residents of the coastal town, this after allegations were raised against the developer and the work done on-site, which impacted local infrastructure after the recent heavy rains.

Fingers were apparently pointed at AJ Property Developers after residents were left without water for over five days when a stormwater drainage pipe burst during the recent floods. 

The flooding, which claimed the lives of seven people and caused widespread property damage in parts of Durban, was said to have been exacerbated in Amanzimtoti, due to the condition of the local infrastructure - which was already fragile- allegedly due to the construction of a new mall that would boast 32 stores.

Several residents who spoke to the Daily News, have placed blame for the damage to essential infrastructure on the construction of the mall, which they argued has left the area in disarray.

George Lithgow, a local resident, was one of the most vocal critics. 

He claimed that the infrastructure, including roads and stormwater drainage, had been intact for over four decades until the mall construction began more than four years ago.

“The reality is that we are suffering because of the damage caused by the developers,” Lithgow said. 

“We went over five days without water after the stormwater drainage burst during the recent rains. The stormwater system was fragile due to the excavation work taking place in our neighbourhood.”

Lithgow expressed frustration with what he described as the developers’ negligence, particularly given that the new mall, set to cover a surface area of 13672 square meters, was poised to have a significant impact on the area.

“Life was tough for some residents as we made ends meet without water for over five days, and the neighbourhood’s fibre-optic network was also down for days,” he continued.

While the water service was restored recently, Lithgow said he was considering pursuing a formal court interdict to halt the development should the eThekwini Municipality did not step in this matter.

“I attended a meeting with the city officials last Tuesday to discuss the issue. They promised to intervene, but we’re still waiting to see what action they will take. As a community, we want the development to be stopped, and the neighbourhood to be repaired to prevent further flooding in the future,” Lithgow added.

Fellow resident Ian McCarthy echoed Lithgow’s concerns, urging for closer monitoring of the developers. “We just want these developers to be closely monitored because if they’re not, more damage could occur. As long-time residents of Amanzimtoti, we don’t want that,” McCarthy said.

DA Ward Councillor Andre Beetge confirmed he was aware of the complaints from residents.

“This is an unfortunate and inconvenient situation for the residents,” said Beetge. “The collapse of a section of the road began after the first heavy rains hit KwaZulu-Natal, including eThekwini. As the rain persisted, the stormwater drainage burst, leading to significant flooding in Amanzimtoti.”

Beetge explained that the developers had excavated the southern side of the site to maximise the use of the property, which contributed to the damage to the road edge. “This excavation led to the stormwater burst, which caused the water shortage for residents, which was unfortunate,” he said.

In response to the crisis, city officials and the councillor worked to provide relief by sending water tankers to affected areas. Beetge reported that nearly 300 households received water, with about 20 households relying on the tankers for supply at the time.

Despite allegations from some residents, Beetge acknowledged the helping hand provided by the developers, saying they had been proactive in assisting the community. “The developers didn’t just sit back and do nothing. They helped the victims of the heavy rainfall by donating building material to those in need,” Beetge said.

“They’ve been forthcoming with assistance.”

Other residents have also expressed concern about the strain the development has placed on local utilities, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by the community.

eThekwini Municipality was approached for comment on Tuesday, but were yet to respond. 

The Daily News had approached a director from AJ Property Holdings for a response on Tuesday and was directed to Miles Taylor. Early on Wednesday, Taylor asked for the reporter’s credentials, which was provided . However, he also did not respond to the questions sent to him. 

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