AfriForum wins plantation case against Abaqulusi Local Municipality with costs

The Abaqulusi Local Municipality has appointed a contractor to look after the plantations at Grootgewachtdam as caretaker. This appointment was illegal. The contractor later began to cut down the plantations and sold the timber for his own profit. Members of AfriForum’s Vryheid branch heard about this and immediately took action to stop the illegalities.

According to André van der Walt, chairperson of AfriForum’s Vryheid branch, there was no proper agreement in place to determine which plantation may be sold at which price. “This was actually just a way in which members of the council and municipality could get their friends in to enrich themselves and this fact is also reflected in the judge’s ruling.”

The judgment states that the appointment of the contractor is set aside by the court order and any form of profit is taken away from the contractor. Furthermore, the Abaqulusi Local Municipality must conduct a survey within 30 days, in consultation with specialists, about the exact value of the wood that was harvested. The municipality must submit this report to the court and to AfriForum to ensure the accuracy of the report. AfriForum won this case with costs.

AfriForum has the right to draw up a report itself to make sure that no further irregularities take place. After consolidation, the contractor must repay the agreed amount to the Abaqulusi Local Municipality and must also report to the court and AfriForum about its progress every 60 days.

“It is a shame that local municipalities are abused by politicians, their friends and family to line their own pockets. The assets that are looted here are essential to improve the conditions of residents and taxpayers and we cannot just watch as the looting continues,” says Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s provincial coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal.

It is clear that illegal decisions and irregularities are taking place within the Abaqulusi Local Municipality and AfriForum is considering making further complaints against the parties in these illegal actions.

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