Minister Dean Macpherson and Mayor Alderman Kotzé sign historic land-exchange pledge
The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, and the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay Municipality, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, on Monday signed a historic land-exchange pledge to advance the transfer of municipal land for the development of the proposed new KwaNonqaba Police Station and SAPS Dog Unit.
The pledge was signed in KwaNonqaba following an inspection of the existing police station, where officers have for close to 20 years been required to work from overcrowded and deteriorating premises supplemented by temporary containers and Wendy houses. Mossel Bay Municipality approved the proposed property exchange in June 2026, following engagements between the Minister, the Mayor and officials from the Department and municipality.
The pledge signed on Monday commits both parties to cooperate transparently and accountably in completing the legislative, regulatory and administrative processes required for the proposed exchange. Under the proposed exchange, municipal land in KwaNonqaba will be transferred to the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for the proposed new police station and SAPS Dog Unit. In return, Department-owned land in Dana Bay will be transferred to Mossel Bay Municipality for the proposed Dana Eco Tourism Park.
Business General Minister Macpherson said the land exchange formed part of his commitment to use public property for the public good by ensuring that public assets actively contribute to the communities in which they are located instead of standing idle or underused. “For close to 20 years, the people of KwaNonqaba have been promised a new police station while officers continued working in conditions that were neither suitable nor dignified. Today, we have taken a decisive step towards changing that. Police officers cannot be expected to fight crime effectively from facilities that undermine their work. Public Works does not arrest criminals or investigate cases, but we have a responsibility to ensure that SAPS has the land and infrastructure it needs to protect communities properly,” Minister Macpherson said. “This is exactly what it means to use public property for the public good. The KwaNonqaba property will support better policing and a safer community, while the Dana Bay property will create space for recreation, tourism and local economic opportunity. Public land should not stand idle, deteriorate or become trapped in government processes while communities wait. It should make communities safer, unlock economic activity and improve people’s quality of life. This exchange will allow both properties to do exactly that.”
Mayor Kotzé said the proposed exchange demonstrated what could be achieved when different spheres of government worked together around the needs of communities. “Through cooperation between the municipality and national government, we have found a practical solution that will benefit communities on both sides of this exchange. This gives the long-awaited KwaNonqaba Police Station a home while unlocking land in Dana Bay for a park that can serve residents, visitors and local businesses. This partnership demonstrates that we have listened to our residents and are working to address their needs and concerns. This is cooperative government producing a practical outcome for all communities of Mossel Bay.”
Enquiries:
James de Villiers
Spokesperson to Minister Macpherson
E-mail: james.devilliers@dpw.gov.za
Cell: 082 766 0276
Aydn Parrott
Communications Officer to the Executive Mayor
E-mail: aparrott@mosselbay.gov.za
Cell: 079 149 4703
#GovZAUpdates
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
