PWV8: Realignment of a Section of the Planned PWV8 Route

Background to the PWV8 Realignment

The PWV8 has been in planning since the 1970’s, when servitudes were registered over properties extending from Beyers Naude (formerly D F Malan) towards Potchefstroom. During the late 1980’s the TPA Roads Department met with the Kromdraai community and confirmed the plans to realise the PWV8 – albeit in some 25 years’ time. In 1999 the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site was registered with UNESCO. The registration of the area as a world heritage site has significant implications on what can and cannot be done within the world heritage site. Portions of the original PWV8 routing traversed the newly declared World Heritage Site. Accordingly, upon a request by the Cradle Management Authority, a decision was taken to scrap the route traversing the world heritage site and to re-align the PWV8 along alternate routes. JG Afrika submitted three alternate routes – see Maps at end of document. It is also noted that alternative routes may be submitted and these will be considered on their merits.

Purpose of Submission

The COHWHS Association wishes to place on record the following:

• That there have been constructive interactions between JG Afrika and the members of the COHWHS Association;
• That the members of the COHWHS Association have also held discussions with other interested and affected parties – again constructive;
• That the issues pertaining to the re-alignment are both numerous and complex and that due to the proximity of the world heritage site that some issues may be more important than others;
• That various principles and alternatives have been tabled and debated;
• That this document serves as the formal submission of the COHWHS Association at this time and that further inputs will be submitted as the process unfolds.

Background to Submission

During October 2018 the COHWHS Association became aware that the process to proceed with the realignment of a section of the PWV8 route is in process. The PWV8 will be a Class A highway supported by Class B roads. Over the last four months there has been interactions with JG Afrika (the consultant’s appointed by The Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport, to manage the Environmental Feasibility Assessment and Public Participation process). These meetings have culminated in the COHWHS Association making this submission, and as supported by a number of interested and affected other parties.

Financial Contributions

A call has been made for financial contributions towards the PWV 8 fund. These contributions will be used towards admin costs, legal, consultant’s fees and direct expenses at this stage. An initial figure of R2500-00 per affected party is suggested. However, any contribution is welcome, or in increments as budget allows.

Current notice

2026 Route Determination and Environmental Screening Update

The COHWHS Association has received notice of a current route determination and environmental screening investigation relating to the proposed PWV8 at the N14 (P126-1) north-west of Krugersdorp and the K31 at M5 west of Diepsloot.

This process appears to be a renewed route determination and public participation process connected to the broader PWV8/K31 road planning in the area. It follows the Association’s earlier involvement in the 2018/2019 public participation process, during which the COHWHS Association coordinated input from members and other interested and affected parties and submitted a formal response.

The current notice describes the project as the Route Determination and Environmental Screening Investigation of routes PWV8 between the K5/PWV1 interchange and K13, and K31 between K31/33 and K29, located in the Krugersdorp region within the West Rand District Municipality.

• PWV8: The proposed route is described as the section between the K31 in the west and the PWV1 / N14 / P126-1 in the east, with an approximate length of 19.51 km.
• K31: The proposed route is described as the section between the existing K31 / M5 in the west and the existing K29 / R512 in the east, with an approximate length of 3.23 km.
• Governing body: Gauteng Province Department of Roads and Transport.
• Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner: Atana (Pty) Ltd.