New Limpopo airport shrouded in uncertainty
The Gateway Airport Authority Limited (GAAL) in Limpopo says the development of F.Y. Siyandhani International Airport in Giyani does not have the necessary authorisation.
Bombo Investment Group and Siyandhani traditional authority launched the first phase of the private commercial airport on Friday.
GAAL, the entity responsible for managing public aviation assets in Limpopo, and the provincial Department of Transport distanced themselves from the new development.
"The launch went ahead despite the communication to the investment group to halt the proceedings as the correct processes had to be followed and the correct authorisation had to be obtained," said GAAL CEO, Mokgadi Matli.
"Siyandhani Airport is a public property and as such, any investment or development related to it must follow due legal and regulatory processes.
"GAAL and the Department of Transport and Community Safety will continue engagements with the relevant parties to make sure that this issue is resolved."
However, Bombo Investment Group remains adamant about reopening the airport previously known as the Giyani Airport in the then Gazankulu homeland.
The investment group's managing director, Nkateko Baloyi, says the first phase of the airport's construction will employ about 500 people.
"We believe that we are very compliant, because we have gone through the process to attain all the necessary documentation to run an aviation business," he says.
"We just need to meet up with the department to explain that. So, I think we must bring them into our confidence."
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