Conservationist group WALEAF has raised concerns about financial misconduct in a 99-year lease in a vital part of the local ecosystem
A detailed 330-page document highlighting environmental concerns over a development project in Kleinkrantz, compiled by the Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (WALEAF) with legal assistance, was rejected by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) council on Tuesday, 5 March.
The document, distributed widely including to Western Cape Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell, focused on GRDM's tender process and the signing of a 99-year lease agreement with Waterleaf Properties, a private developer, for a residential development in Kleinkrantz near Wilderness.
In response to WALEAF's allegations, Waterleaf Properties declined to comment.
GRDM's strategic manager Thembani Loliwe stated that after Council's review, they found no reasonable cause to believe that any financial misconduct or misconduct had occurred regarding the lease agreement.
The document, titled "Complaints for investigation of financial misconduct/misconduct based on perceived breaches of the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 and/or the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000," raised concerns about the legality of the lease agreement and the tender process.
WALEAF alleges that the signed lease agreement differs from the version approved by Council and does not comply with National Treasury requirements, exposing GRDM to significant risk.
Furthermore, WALEAF claims that Waterleaf Properties was allowed to conceptualize its development after the tender was awarded, with current designs differing from the initial tender submission.
WALEAF also alleges a lack of prescribed public participation preceding the tender and that the tender was not published in the local press, as required.
Responding to questions about the document, WALEAF stated that they submitted it as part of a legal process, respecting the procedure.
The transfer of ownership of the property, including erf 1297, to appropriate authorities after due diligence processes to ascertain environmental significance, was advised by Minister Bredell in a 2019 letter to GRDM, a move supported by WALEAF.
