What happened to mall development?

Date: 13 July 2017 By: Isabel Venter

Halfway through 2017, Makhado Crossing in Louis Trichardt remains untouched.

The mall was earmarked for development way back in 2015 already. The developer, the Masingita Group of Companies, completed the land and property sale early in 2016. The development, it was announced, was to take place on the piece of property currently housing the town’s rugby fields, squash club, gymnastics and wrestling hall, the well-known Rugby Lapa and netball fields. Since the announcement, however, the deal has seemingly been put on ice.

For the past two weeks, the Zoutpansberger has been trying to enquire from the Makhado Municipality on the progress of the project since the sale was finalised. The municipality, however, has been hesitant to react, specifically about the expanse of the total development, which has dramatically decreased in size.

According to a modified architect’s drawing of what the new mall would look like after completion, tenants such as Ster Kinekor and Virgin Active have been cut from the plans. The smaller size of the extensions, as shown on the map, also reveals that only the rugby club will have to be relocated.

Additionally, no clear indication of the project’s expected date of completion has been given. Masingita Group of Companies was at first confident to break ground on the project in September 2016. In September, however, the company retracted their statement and expressed the hope to complete the extensions by 2018.    

Ever since Masingita acquired the property, the municipality had yet to give further particulars as to how the sale had been constructed. There have been rumours that Masingita struck an informal deal and was granted the sport clubs’ property, provided that they would foot the bill for the various clubs’ relocations.  

Apart from this, the municipality has never answered questions put them about whether an environmental impact assessment was done regarding the proposed development or whether the municipality will be able to supply basic services (sewerage, electricity and water connections). These questions have been put to the municipality since 2016.

At the time of our going to press, the municipality had once again only confirmed receipt of the newspaper’s questions.

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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