By Celani Sikhakhane
- The Special Investigating Unit says parts of Kwazi Mbili’s complaint are relevant to its wider investigation into Seaworld and other related lease arrangements.
- Mbili says a court dispute has stalled his proposed R20-billion logistics hub, which he believes could create jobs and attract major investment to KwaZulu-Natal.
A new investigation has opened another chapter in the long-running battle over the abandoned Durban International Airport.
The Special Investigating Unit has started investigating matters linked to controversial lease arrangements at the old airport site.
The move follows a complaint by uMlazi businessman Kwazi Mbili of Amabhubesi Property Holdings, who has been fighting to develop a R20-billion logistics hub at the site.
Mbili claims the ongoing court dispute over the property has blocked his ambitious plan.
The Special Investigating Unit confirmed in a letter to Mbili that it had considered and analysed information he submitted.
The unit said certain parts of the information were relevant to its wider investigation into Seaworld matters and other related lease arrangements covered by Proclamation R174 of 2024.
“The SIU has commenced its investigation into these matters and the information provided will be considered together with the other evidence obtained during the investigation,” the unit said.
However, the Special Investigating Unit warned that its investigations are confidential and it could not reveal what steps investigators were taking or what evidence they were examining.
It said reports from its investigations are submitted to the President under the law.
The investigation brings fresh attention to a valuable piece of land that has been caught in controversy for years.
Scrolla.Africa reported in March last year about the dispute involving Transnet’s lease of the old Durban International Airport to Seaworld Aviation.
Transnet claimed Seaworld Aviation broke the conditions of its lease by renting airport space to businesses that were not involved in aviation.
Seaworld disputed Transnet’s claims.
The company argued that Transnet had failed to remove existing tenants from the property, making it impossible for Seaworld to reopen the airport.
The dispute eventually became a court battle.
Caught in the middle is Mbili and his proposed R20-billion development.
Mbili has years of experience in the logistics industry and believes the abandoned airport could become a major logistics hub.
For him, the project is also personal.
He sees the old airport as an opportunity for a businessman from uMlazi township to create jobs and break into an industry he says remains dominated by white owned companies.
Mbili said he has spent years approaching provincial government officials for support.
“We met with the honourable MEC for Economic Development Rev Musa Zondi on 19 August 2024,” Mbili said.
He said a decision was taken for KwaZulu-Natal provincial authorities to champion the investment initiatives.
Mbili said another meeting took place on 25 September 2024 with Archie Khumalo, head of ministry in the provincial economic development department.
According to Mbili, Khumalo advised them to take the matter to the Office of the Premier.
Mbili said provincial officials believed the proposed Durban Logistics Hub could attract major foreign investment into KwaZulu-Natal.
On 13 November 2024, Mbili and his team also met KwaZulu-Natal Treasury head of ministry William Goldstone to discuss possible support through public private partnerships.
But the court fight remained a major roadblock.
KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Reverend Musa Zondi previously told Scrolla.Africa that the legal dispute between Transnet and Seaworld prevented the provincial government from helping with the proposed development.
The old Durban International Airport has been largely abandoned since 2010, when commercial flights moved to the newly built King Shaka International Airport.
More than a decade later, questions remain over what should happen to the old airport site and who should benefit from its redevelopment.
For Mbili, the land represents a chance to bring investment and jobs to the province.
For the Special Investigating Unit, it is now part of an investigation involving lease arrangements that could eventually result in a report being submitted to the President.
The unit has not said when its investigation will be completed.
Pictured above: The old Durban International Airport, which has stood abandoned since commercial flights moved to King Shaka International Airport in 2010.
Image source: Facebook
