Cato Ridge farmer told to rezone

Foreigners moved to Hope Farm a month ago after the government closed down the last of the interim camps. Photo: Gcina Ndwalane

Foreigners moved to Hope Farm a month ago after the government closed down the last of the interim camps. Photo: Gcina Ndwalane

Published Aug 5, 2015

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Durban - The Cato Ridge farming couple who have given shelter to xenophobia refugees, have until September 6 to rezone their farm for residential use.

This was the word on Monday from mayor Thobekile Maphumulo of the local Mkhambathini Municipality, under which the farm falls.

According to media reports the couple, Andrew and Rae Wartnaby, had been ordered to evict the 140 adults and children of Burundian and Congolese origin, who are staying on their Hope Farm.

The group was part of the more than a 1 000 people who were displaced after the xenophobic attacks around Durban in April.

They were arrested for refusing to leave the Chatsworth sports grounds after the refugee camp there was closed, and the Wartnabys arranged for their release and offered them accommodation three weeks ago.

Maphumulo confirmed to the Daily News that she and other municipal officials had met Andrew Wartnaby on Monday and insisted they had no intention of chasing people away.

“We have a Land Use Management Act in place which everyone has to abide by.

“All we are saying is that we are giving the farmer until September 6 to rezone his property for residential setting.

“This will require a great deal of paperwork and once that is done, the couple will then be charged rates accordingly. It is incorrect to say we are chasing them away from the farm,” Maphumulo said.

She said the municipal planning officer had given the Wartnabys a plan detailing how the process would work so that compliance was adhered to.

Contacted again by the Daily News about the mayor’s comments, Wartnaby said: “This is new to me. All I knew was that because I broke the act, then I have to let go of these people.

“It’s a very difficult situation for us and I have told the people that we have come to the end of the road. I guess I need to look into this because it is interesting news,” he said.

The Access to Justice Association of Southern Africa (Ajasa) said a team of lawyers had been instructed to attend to all the legal matters that arose and there was a team of mediators, headed by Sheena St Clair Jonker, Ajasa’s director.

“The solution sought is ideally safe refuge in a country or countries other than South Africa, Burundi or DRC,” St Clair Jonker said.

“We are still in a process of identifying interested and/or potential role-players and also looking at various options.

“Our attorneys will be instructed to respond once summons, if any, are served on the Wartnabys,” said St Clair Jonker.

Daily News

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