PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A proposal to build a state-of-the-art correctional facility in the Bitou area has been approved by the Bitou council.
Three potential sites for the new-generation correctional facility are highlighted in the council agenda served at a special Bitou council meeting on Thursday 27 February.
In the motivation, a report said the proposed development, that is a revival of a proposal dating back to 2014, "will benefit the Bitou community economically and socially, while ensuring the safety and security of the area".
Workshop, farming areas
Council approved mayor Jessica Kamkam's recommendation to pursue the construction of the new prison with a 513-bed capacity, requiring a land area of between 25 to 120 hectares.
It will also consist of rehabilitation facilities, a skills centre or workshop, and farming areas for livestock and vegetables.
The proposed facility will be designed to gain support from surrounding communities by:
- Providing employment opportunities;
- Offering community programmes and workshops; and
- Ensuring transparent communication and collaboration with local stakeholders.
Potential sites
The three potential sites, and the motivations for them, are:
- The Griqua Trust Jackalskraal Farm along the Airport Road which is strategically located within the municipal area, offering convenient access to essential services along with fertile farming land.
The trust aspires to sell a minimum of 25 hectares to Correctional Services while encouraging them to source their supplies directly from the trust. This initiative not only promises to uplift the Griqua community but also ensure lasting benefits for generations to come;
- The Covie Trust (Covie Commonage).
The vibrant community of Covie encompasses over 700 hectares of land, situated in a remote area that lacks access to essential municipal services and suffers from underdevelopment.
Environmentally sensitive
The proposed construction of a correctional facility in this region has the potential to spur significant growth and uplift the entire community, leading to improved municipal services and various development initiatives that could greatly benefit the residents of Covie for generations to come.
However, it is important to note the presence of fynbos, a unique and diverse ecosystem that characterises much of the landscape. This makes large parts of Covie environmentally sensitive and requires careful consideration of any development projects; and
- Krantzbosch Farm, part of the Department of Public Works. Krantzbosch is a vast state-owned property of about 1500ha, located north of Bitou, which is currently used for forestry purposes.
Own infrastructure
This area is suitable for addressing safety concerns that have been raised by certain segments of society.
Since it is outside the urban edge, providing services to the proposed correctional centre could be costly unless the centre is designed to have its own infrastructure, such as sewer systems, waste removal, and water purification.
'Dedicated project team'
Municipal manager Mbulelo Memani was given the go-ahead by council to appoint "a dedicated project management team" consisting of the IDP manager (project leader), IGR officer, spatial planner, legal services, PMU manager, and LED manager to "actively negotiate with the Department of Correctional Services and other key stakeholders".
Kamkam also recommended that the council resolution is communicated effectively to the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Land register
She also said the municipality should sustain ongoing engagement with the minister of Rural Development to secure formal commitment letters from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
In addition, that the land disposal register be obtained from the Department of Public Works to ascertain available state-owned land in Plettenberg Bay.
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