Probe of development project approvals

a senior provincial government official responsible for approving development projects has been barred from her office pending an investigation into allegations of irregularities in the approval process.

agriculture and environment affairs department head dr jabulani mjwara brought in the council for scientific and industrial research's environment technology unit this week to conduct an investigative audit dating back to 2002.

the unit will look into allegations of undue interference and vested interest in the department's environmental services southern region office, headed by sarah allen.

the doors to allen's and her secretary's offices were locked on monday and will remain so until the audit is completed, which is expected to be on december 15.

since 2002, allen has signed an average of 600 records of decision (rods) on environmental impact assessments (eias) each year, and some 260 so far in 2005. this adds up to 2006 rods to be scrutinised by the csir.

mjwara confirmed that if any rod is found to be "grossly negligent" the decision will be reversed.

"in cases where the development happened, we would then have to take corrective measures to lessen the environmental impact and to minimise future damage," he said.

speaking from indonesia, mjwara said the agriculture and environment affairs department (daea) has received "a huge number of complaints" from industry, government institutions, parastatals and the public about problem developments.

"this is not a witch-hunt. i am trying to clarify what is wrong, if anything, with the way we process eias.

"all the information is contained in allen's office, so i have given her an alternative office from where to work," mjwara said.

this means the daea's eia process will still continue to operate.

ezemvelo board member cathy kay said she is very concerned about a number of developments approved by allen that appear to be "in total conflict with ezemvelo kzn wildlife's conservation plan".

kay specified developments such as the umdloti picnic site, which allen approved despite objections from the public and ezemvelo and which was eventually washed away by the sea, as locals had warned. the clean-up cost the taxpayer r10 million.

another controversial development, a luxury housing estate on a flood plain at izotsha on the south coast, was approved despite opposition from conservationists.

kay said that three years ago, she appealed against an industrial development by foskor and navitrade in richards bay, but has not yet attended any appeal hearing.

other controversial developments include the hawaan forest luxury housing estate in umhlanga and several luxury housing estates in the midlands and in the underberg region, kay said.

allen is believed to be working out of a temporary office at cedara agricultural college.