Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Narend Singh recently met with concerned residents at the Marstan Place community park in Centenary Park, Phoenix, where community members voiced strong opposition to the sale of public open space for an infill housing development.
The meeting brought together residents, civic activists, community organisations and government representatives to discuss concerns surrounding the future of the park, which residents say has served as a vital community recreational space for the past four decades.
Residents voiced strong opposition to the rezoning and subsequent sale of the park and children’s play area, arguing that the process was undertaken without meaningful consultation with the surrounding community. Many claimed they were not adequately informed or given an opportunity to participate in the rezoning process. Community members further expressed concern that the loss of the public open space would deprive future generations of a valuable recreational facility and negatively impact the quality of life in the area.
Further concerns were raised regarding findings contained in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report of March 2023, which examined aspects of the municipality’s land disposal processes. Residents questioned why developers implicated in the report continue to conduct business with the municipality despite recommendations that such entities should be blacklisted. Community members also highlighted concerns that, despite the report identifying serious administrative shortcomings and procedural irregularities, no visible consequential action has been taken against municipal officials implicated in those findings.
Minister Singh, who also serves as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion for eThekwini, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and committed to engaging with the relevant municipal authorities. He said: “Residents have raised serious concerns regarding consultation, governance and environmental compliance. These matters deserve careful attention. Whenever rezoning, development or changes to land use are contemplated, there should be meaningful public participation and proper consultation with affected communities. I will engage with the relevant authorities to better understand these concerns and explore possible solutions.”
The Deputy Minister further indicated that his department would investigate allegations relating to the removal of protected vegetation and indigenous trees on the site. He stated that where environmental legislation has been breached, appropriate enforcement action, including penalties and fines where applicable, would be considered. Also addressing the gathering was IFP Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen, who explained that the zoning designation known as SR180 forms part of the municipality’s broader infill housing programme and stems from policy decisions adopted by the city.
He said: “The concerns raised by residents highlight the need for a review of policies governing infill housing and the disposal of public open spaces. Communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their neighbourhoods. The IFP will continue pursuing remedial policy interventions to ensure greater transparency, accountability and public participation in these processes.”
The meeting was also attended by Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, representatives of civic organisations, community activists and concerned residents.
Community leaders welcomed the engagement and expressed hope that the intervention by national government would assist in addressing long-standing concerns relating to governance, environmental protection, public participation and the preservation of community recreational spaces.
