THE R53 million Somerset East Airfield, built in January 2016, has now become a grazing field for stray cattle.
This is allegedly due to the failure of the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality to replace a fence since 2016.
The airfield, with its 1.2km long runway, was built by the Cacadu Development Agency, in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
It was supposed to be the gateway for transportation of domestic produce and tourism to the Zuurberg Heritage Corridor, as well as being a catalyst for significant economic and industrial development in the region.
According to Vicky Knoetze, the DA Eastern Cape shadow MEC for COGTA, the airfield has become a death trap and is riddled with stray animals.
“This is because the municipality has failed to replace a fence that was stolen in 2016, despite numerous requests for it to do so, and has failed to establish a functioning pound for stray animals in the area,” Knoetze said.
Knoetze said in a media statement that the DA had also been informed that a private air school, which had established a fair weather base at the airstrip in 2016, and which was making use of the facilities and local accommodation for students, had also had to be closed due to fact that the airfield was not operational.
She added, “I have submitted questions for written reply to the MEC of COGTA, Xolile Nqata, asking for further clarity with regard to the stolen fencing and when this will be replaced.
“As well as the reinstatement of 24-hour security at the airfield, and what steps will be taken to ensure the safety of aircraft landing at the airstrip.
“If nothing is done to ensure the reinstatement of this airstrip, then it is R53-million of wasted taxpayers’ money, and nothing but another white elephant for this province.”
The statement highlighted that the R53 million could have been used to improve the lives of the people in Somerset East. Knoetze said that the money could have gone a long way towards delivering better services and providing people with access to basic human rights including housing, water and electricity.
“This is a slap in face for the fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“The DA will continue to hold the current government to account for irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and the prioritisation of spending to ensure better services for the people of the Eastern Cape,” Knoetze said.
Despite numerous requests from the Mid-Karoo Express, the municipal manager, Mandisi Planga, could not be reached for comment.
