Arrests, injuries at protest against Dubai developer's scheme

UGLY SCENE: Ruwaad's South African mega-project has sparked violent demonstrations. (ITP Images)

Fifteen people were arrested and another 12 were seriously injured in protests over a Dubai-based company's plan to build a $4 billion project in South Africa.

Protests against Ruwaad's proposal to develop vast tracts of Macambini land for Amazulu World, a 16,500 hectare-entertainment and destination development turned ugly on Thursday.

Billed as the continent's largest development and located in the northeast of South Africa, the project will target national, regional and international visitors.

Thousands of demonstrators blocked the N2 freeway and pelted motorists with stones. Fifteen people were arrested and 12 others seriously injured, community leader Khanyisani Shandu told the local Sowetan newspaper.

A police spokesman said about 3,000 people set up barricades at several bridges along the N2 freeway and were “very violent”.

He added that the police initially used pepper spray to try to disperse the protesters. When that failed they used rubber bullets.

The protesters threw stones at motorists and set up barricades of burning tyres in a bid to get Ruwaad to withdraw their proposed Amazulu World project.

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sibusiso Ndebele, last week was sent an ultimatum by protesters giving him seven days to respond to their demands to withdraw the Ruwaad project.

Ndebele is quoted by the Sowetan as saying: “I do do not understand why the community is marching. There has been no agreement on the project. It is just a proposal.

“We met the community and explained to them that this is a proposed development with private investors.

“The process of consultation will continue and people have a right to accept or reject the project.”

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READERS' COMMENTS

surprised
Posted by Jones, Durban on Wednesday 10 December 2008 at 15:47 UAE time


I am shocked and surprised to see how a few people in the community can manipulate the interests for the whole community and put their futures in jeopardy. After reading the various articles in the South African press, it is so obvious that all of these nonsensical protests are a product of personal and political interest by the local leader on the ground. I mean how do you say you don’t want a project that guarantees better housing, better health care, better education, better employment opportunities….?!?!?! Funnily, I read this morning other public requests being made by other land owners in South Africa saying that they would welcome Ruwaad with open arms on their land as Ruwaad has promised to do so much for the people on the ground. Let’s hope something positive comes out of all of this – the province can’t afford to lose another proposed investment!

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