The IFP condemns the decision of MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Professor Gabriel Ndabandaba, to overrule the veto imposed by his own department on a development project in the vicinity of a hazardous chemical complex in Umbogintwini.

The proposed Arbour Town shopping and retirement complex was vetoed last September by the department’s officials who cited health and safety concerns for its elderly residents. The site of the adjacent AECI industrial complex has a history of accidental leakages and gas emissions affecting local schoolchildren.

“The MEC’s decision to give this controversial project a go-ahead is symptomatic of the deeper schizophrenia in his department,” said Dr Lionel Mtshali MPP who leads the IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament.

Dr Mtshali also said:

 “The IFP objects to the MEC being a player and a referee in the same cause at the same time. During Professor Ndabandaba’s tenure as the MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, agriculture and environment have led an uneasy co-existence, as the MEC has had a knack for favouring the former over the latter.

 “Our advice to the MEC is to restrict his initiative and judgement to appeals and leave environmental impact assessments (EIAs) on development projects to the competent officials in his department. By overruling experts, the MEC risks exposing himself to untoward overtures from the developers’ lobby.”