GIYANI AIRPORT'S OWNERSHIP DEBACLE PUTS RE-LAUNCH PROJECT IN LIMBO
GIYANI - Plans to re-open Giyani Airport have been halted.
This is after Limpopo's Transport Department and the Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL) put a spanner in the works of the project.
According to the Transport Department and GAAL, Bombo Investment was not given permission to develop the airport.
The airport, located in Siyandhani village, is government property. It lies on land owned and ruled over by Hosi Siyandhani.
It used to be operational during the days of the Gazankulu Homeland rule under Prof. HWE Ntsan'wisi.
With the dawn of democracy, the airport has not been operational in over 30 years.
READ: Giyani Airport to reopen as F.Y. Siyandhani International Airport
After his inauguration in 2021, Hosi F.Y Siyandhani promised to reopen the airport. On 9 May, he announced the official reopening of the airport.
In a joint statement, the Limpopo Transport Department and Gaal say they warned the Siyandhani Royal Authority and Bombo Investments against working on the airport that was government-owned.
Any work on the airport would violate public procurement laws.
'We urge all prospective investors and stakeholders to respect due processes and engage with GAAL and the Department directly,' said GAAL's Tshepo Ramokgopa.
A meeting has been called between Bombo Investments, the Siyandhani Traditional Authority and the Department on Wednesday.
There is no word yet as to the outcome of the meeting, however, GAAL says they distance themselves from the current unauthorised work at the airport.