The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns the Koukamma Municipality’s reckless and allegedly unlawful destruction of the natural habitat of indigenous proteas in Kareedouw.
During a recent oversight inspection, it was discovered that vast areas of land, home to thriving indigenous proteas, had been bulldozed to make way for a double-paved road leading to the Derdebos pump station.
What makes this environmental destruction even more indefensible is the fact that this 16-kilometre stretch of road is rarely used and exists primarily to provide municipal access to the pump station.
The R16,1 million project is being funded from the Municipality’s emergency reserves, despite the absence of any urgent need. The tender for the project was also allegedly awarded to a company that has family ties with a municipal official.
Construction began without council approval and in the absence of the legally required environmental impact assessment.
The DA will not allow the destruction of our natural heritage or the misuse of municipal emergency funds for projects tainted by cronyism and corruption.
I will write to the Koukamma Speaker to demand answers as to why council processes were bypassed.
This matter will also be referred to the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to investigate why legal processes, including environmental approvals, were ignored.
Koukamma residents have been neglected for far too long. Their roads remain incomplete, their environment is being destroyed, and their money is wasted on projects that serve the connected few rather than the broader community.
The DA stands with the people of Koukamma in demanding an end to environmental destruction, financial mismanagement, and the abuse of emergency funds. We will continue to push for accountability and action.