Group demands Naval Island reopening

DESPITE a poor turnout for the Day of Goodwill march in protest against the closure of Naval Island, The People’s Voice (PV) civic organisation is adamant in continuing to fight for the ban on public access to the island to be lifted.

In a memorandum shared with the Zululand Observer, PV spokesperson Jabulani Eric Zulu said the shocked community – a stakeholder that had been using the area for decades – had not been included in the decision.

It also questioned Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) legal ownership of the island and, presumably, the rest of the port property.

While understanding and agreeing with the reasons TNPA had taken the decision, namely to maintain safety, security, good order and the protection of the environment and TNPA assets, they believe a more amicable solution could have been reached.

Although grateful for the cordial welcoming it received from Port Manager Thami Sithole, PV gave just seven days for a number of demands to be addressed:

• Reopen Naval Island ‘in the next two days’

• Establish a tripartite engagement between Transnet, the local municipality and the community as represented by The People’s Voice civic organisation.

• Formulate a working group between Transnet and society

• Create a Community Services Initiative (CSI) which is clear and transparent to society

• Provide ablution facilities as a form of CSI

• Erect fencing in the areas where swimming is prohibited

• Provide signage in the restricted areas

• Transnet should produce documents which prove they bought this piece of land from the indigenous people.

The memorandum does not mention what steps might be taken to minimise the problem of litter and broken glass linked to public consumption of alcohol and one of the chief reasons behind the closure.

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