The Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) says there has been an attempt to meet with the Blikkiesdorp community on the Airport Expansion Project despite the community claiming otherwise. However, ACSA’s communication manager Denise Francis suggested that the residents have turned to media instead even-though they have in fact met with ACSA to discuss the project before.

This comes after members of the Blikkiesdorp Joint Committee claimed that the community had been left out of the expansion plans. They will have to face relocation should the expansion plan get the green light from the City.

“Last week we met with the community to understand their requirements and ascertain what their concerns are. From there, it was established that there were a few things that we would undertake. But we have continued with this engagement, to an extent that we will meet with them again on their request. This process is still being unfolded. We maintain that whatever we do, we will do it responsibility,” Francis explained.

On the matter regarding the possible relocation of families, Francis could not comment and referred to the City of Cape Town as the point to which all such questions should rather be directed to.

However, Francis told VOC News that they have a memorandum of agreement with the City, which they have established since 2012. She added that with the possibility of a realigned runway (which would take up an area currently housing some Blikkiesdorp families), the City will have to decide on relocating some families to reduce impact.

“We will be meeting with the community on Monday the 1stof June to understand how all the parties involved can move forward from here,” Francis continued. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)