Residents of seven coastal areas located in the La Mercy area have voiced strong opposition to the proposed memorial park, which will contain 33,800 burials, as well as a six-section crematorium. The main concerns of the residents relate to consultation processes, increased traffic, safety of gas equipment (LPG), emissions, and the project's impact on future regional investments.
At a recent public meeting, residents from settlements such as Desaignagar, Citydes, La Mercy, Westbrook, Lungelani, Folani, and Tutukani strongly objected to this memorial park.
The Coastal Joint Task Team (CJTT)—a group formed by local residents to counter development—criticized District Councillor DA No. 58, Jeff Pullman, for his approach to the project. During an attempt by Pullman to address the gathering, residents began shouting and whistling.
The event, organized by environmental assessment specialists from NFZ Environmentals, was marred by delays and disappointment as participants questioned the adequacy of the consultations conducted regarding this construction. Residents asked why their elected representative had not convened public meetings to clarify the proposal, record opinions, and relay issues to the relevant authorities.
Community representatives claimed that Pullman had known about the project since 2023 but had failed to hold public meetings to inform affected residents. Consequently, the meeting had to be cancelled.
Anand Desai from CJTT stated that residents are firmly against the construction of the cemetery and crematorium. He clarified that CJTT was established after a public meeting approximately three or four weeks ago when residents learned about the development and began studying its approval process. Desai emphasized: 'CJTT reports that no resident in the affected area supports this project.'
The development is planned on the site of former sugar plantations opposite King Shaki International Airport, on the sea side of the N2 road. Although the crematorium is part of the second phase of the project, which is currently in the Environmental Impact Assessment report stage, residents expressed shock that an earlier stage had already received approval.
Desai added that the communities will continue to use all legal means to oppose this construction. Michael Singh from CJTT reported that they only recently learned about the proposal. He explained that residents surveyed surrounding informal settlements and contacted community leaders to ascertain if people were aware of the project. 'No one knew about it,' Singh noted. He questioned how properly the consultation process for the first phase was conducted, given the complete lack of awareness among the population.
Singh elaborated that the community's opposition is not simply a rejection of the development, but a feeling of unfair treatment regarding investments and infrastructure along the coast. He compared the proposed cemetery and crematorium to facilities existing in neighboring coastal areas such as Umdloti and Ballito. 'We feel there is constant bias and prejudice against us—whether from developers or the government,' he stated. He also raised the question of how the area could attract tourism, commercial investment, and residential development if a large cemetery and industrial crematorium were built there. 'How can we have ecotourism or other positive development, shopping centers, and other good housing complexes if we are going to put a crematorium there?' he asked.
Areas adjacent to the proposed construction site include established residential neighborhoods, farms, three informal settlements, and expanding housing complexes. Residents also pointed to the proximity to schools, specifically Seatides Combined School and Crawford North Coast, as a reason requiring thorough scrutiny of the project. Community representatives noted that Seatides Combined School is located approximately 700–761 meters from the proposed site.
The community demands detailed assessments of potential emissions, cumulative air pollution, LPG safety, emergency response measures, as well as an analysis of traffic load and consequences for future development.
For Deziri Singh, a resident of Desaignagar living on Park Avenue, the prospect of LPG tankers passing by her home causes particular anxiety. She reported that residents discovered the proposal after a community member cycling through the sugarcane fields noticed an advertisement. 'I am very upset about this because we definitely did not know this was happening in our backyard. We did not receive sufficient notification,' she said. Following this, residents began studying the project and organizing objections.
Singh expressed concern that instead of building a road to the new facility, they plan to use the road passing by her home for gas transport. She raised questions about steep gradients, speed bumps, and sharp turns on this road, doubting the possibility of safe passage for articulated LPG vehicles. She also touched upon the potential consequences of a gas tanker accident, citing a danger radius of 361 meters and 50% mortality.
The proposed access routes have become a serious concern for residents who fear that funeral processions, construction vehicles, service vehicles, and gas deliveries could jeopardize road safety and restrict access to their own property. Deziri warned that the impact could extend beyond the immediate residents of Park Avenue, as alternative routes, including Genazzano and Dolphin Avenue, might bring additional traffic past the school if the main access road becomes unusable.
Residents are also concerned about the potential impact on the area's attractiveness to future investors, tour operators, and homebuyers. Deziri stated that the project seems geared towards more affluent segments of society. 'Did Umdloti just get two shopping centers? Build us a shopping center. Don't build us a crematorium for rich people,' she said. She noted that this project reinforced the feeling of marginalization among residents of the predominantly Black coastal area, where three informal settlements continue to face infrastructure and development challenges.
Residents demand full transparency regarding project ownership, operational responsibility, specialized assessments, and approval records, as well as proper consideration of alternative locations and access routes.
When sundaytribune.co.za approached Pullman at the meeting, he explained that his decision not to file official objections to projects in his district was based on legal advice received after a previous application related to a cell tower in Citydes. He clarified that he does not object to any developments in the district, or indeed in the entire city, because an application for a cell tower was submitted several years ago, and he intentionally no longer files objections to any projects in the district. He added that he previously objected to the cell tower but had to recuse himself when it came to the appeal due to his position on the appeals committee. Pullman stated that the same principle applies to other committee members. 'It's just life. You can shout and curse all you want, but in reality, it means you have to fight hooligans.'
