The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned about the closure of the Vereeniging Airport. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has decided to cancel the licence of the airport as a result of neglect and safety risks due to the misallocation of funds by the ANC-led Sedibeng District Municipality.
The airport’s infrastructure has failed. Simple things like fencing have been allowed to deteriorate into a state of non-existence because of a lack of maintenance.
This is despite the Sedibeng District approving a fencing and maintenance budget in the 2024/2025 financial year. The question now becomes – where did the money go?
The DA has persistently warned the District about the dire consequences of the Vereeniging Airport being non-functional, however, despite our warnings, no action was taken.
This shutdown will have adverse consequences on the already struggling economy of the Vaal region, as both travel and commerce will be disrupted.
Additionally, the closure of the airport also means that the aviation school operating from it will in all likelihood close.
The Speaker of Council, alongside the Mayor, must now explain why over R100 000 was allocated, a tender awarded, but no fence maintenance took place.
Sedibeng deserves better. The DA will submit additional questions in this regard and will demand accountability for those involved in this complete failure.