Court halts R4.5 billion Amazon development on sacred Khoi and San land

Western Cape Deputy Judge President Patricia Goliath gave an interim interdict halting the R4.5 billion development in Observatory. Judge Goliath said the right to culture and heritage of indigenous groups, such as the Khoi and San people, was under threat.

Judge halts building on sacred land

The building was to take place on a sacred Khoi and San land. Judge Goliath’s ruling stated that the indigenous groups had not been properly consulted prior to the building. The interim interdict will remain in place pending a review of the relevant environmental land use authorisations.

This will be with regard to the development on the Khoi and San’s culturally and historically significant area. Judge Goliath stated that the order of the court must not be construed as criticism against the development.

“The core consideration is the issue of proper and meaningful consultation with all affected First Nations Peoples.”

Judge Patricia Goliath

What is being built on the sacred land?

The large-scale development on the area where the Black and Liesbeek rivers join started in 2021. The urban campus development includes the regional headquarters for American multinational technology company Amazon.

The Khoi and San sacred land was bought by the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust for R12 million. It is part of a larger area known as Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP). ‘

The land is meaningful to the Khoi people of South Africa

It was the dominion of the Gorinhaiqua Khoi tribe. It is, according to applicants, the only undeveloped area of the grazing lands used by the Khoekhoe for their cattle.

The applications revealed that the area hosted “significant ceremonies and gatherings. The TRUP area was deemed as historic and one with symbolic area by a provincial government-commissioned heritage study.

In her ruling, Judge Goliath noted that developers intended on persuading the court that their project was supported by a large number of First Nation Groups – including the First Nations Collective.

She further gave permission for the Khoi and San people as well as other parties in the matter to approach her for further directives to facilitate in order to expedite a review.

Khoi and San leaders are celebrating Judge Goliath’s interim interdict

EWN reports that Khoi and San leaders celebrated that developers were informed that construction on their sacred land had to be halted. Activist Tauriq Jenkins revealed that they are welcoming anyone who would like to join them in acknowledging the halting of the site.