More questions than answers, an accused murder suspect, a supposed shell company and political overtures and posturing seemingly surround the dastardly wheeling and dealing behind the proposed Welkom International Cargo Airport.
The site that was officially handed over six weeks ago remains bare and desolate. Only the resident meerkats and kiewiets (or plovers) greet people who venture to the Welkom airport.
But enough is enough, and now the DA in Matjhabeng will take urgent steps to ensure complete transparency and real progress on the long-promised Welkom Cargo Airport project.
“Six weeks after the site was ceremonially handed over to Sébastien Investissements and Logistique (Pty) Ltd, residents have seen no construction activity, no public engagement, and no clarity on the project’s future,” says Estelle Dansey and René Steyn, two DA councillors of the Matjhabeng municipality.
Dansey says the handover sparked immediate and valid questions from the public, the business community, and councillors whose questions remain unanswered to this day.
Despite a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request submitted by Dansey, the terms of the lease agreement between the Matjhabeng Municipality and Sébastien Investissements and Logistique (Pty) Ltd have still not been made public. “Why the secrecy around a project that is supposedly intended to bring significant economic benefits to our community?”
Steyn says the lack of transparency and visible progress is alarming. “Nearly six weeks after the ceremonial handover, there has been no groundwork, construction activity, or clear public communication from the developer. During initial engagements, Sébastien Investissements and Logistique (Pty) Ltd’s project manager, Yvonne Reece, assured ward councillors that the company’s next visit to Welkom would include a public meeting to outline job opportunities and project timelines. This meeting has not taken place,” she says.
It has been alleged that instead of hosting such a meeting, Reece has appeared at Imbizos with the executive mayor, events described as inherently political. Dansey continues: “If these allegations are correct, they raise serious concerns. Is the Welkom Cargo Airport project being leveraged as a political campaign tool ahead of the local government elections? Are residents being offered empty promises to score political points rather than genuine, documented opportunities?”
Steyn emphasises that the people in Matjhabeng deserve clear answers. They must make public the full terms and conditions of the lease agreement, confirmed project timelines and a binding commencement date and the documented scope and number of job opportunities.
“We call on the Matjhabeng Municipality and Sébastien Investissements and Logistique (Pty) Ltd to commit to a public meeting with stakeholders, and to demonstrate tangible progress on the ground without further delay. The time for secrecy and political theatre is over. The residents of Welkom demand action, not just photo opportunities,” says Dansey.
Since the onset, rumours and scandal have surrounded the Welkom Airport.
It has been reported that Sebastien Investissements and Logistique was registered two days after the R350 billion airport tender was advertised, and they were awarded the tender despite another company, King Michaels, who had investor commitments of R198 billion.
Informed source
Katiso KT Molefe, who was this week denied bail in the murder trial of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos, is one of the high-profile directors of Sebastien Investissements and Logistique.
He faces charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the killing of musicians Oupa Sefoka (DJ Sumbody) and Hector Buthelezi (DJ Vintos). In July, Molefe used an important project in Welkom as an exceptional circumstance to obtain bail. Bail was, however, denied this week. In 2024, Molefe was arrested in connection with the murder of Vaal engineer, Armand Swart. This case is ongoing.
Three senior ANC cabinet ministers are also said to be involved and implicated in the controversial tender award.
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