A STEEL rod, part of the foundations of the controversial Chapman’s Peak toll plaza, was damaged when someone cut most of the way through it.

Somebody also allegedly took an angle grinder to the scaffolding being erected at the site of the new toll plaza and offices on Chapman’s Peak last weekend.

The Civil Rights Action Group’s Bronwen Lankers-Byrne, who is on hunger strike at the site, says she was told that a container at the site was broken into and police were on the scene last Monday, 6 February.

The foreman, however, refused to speak to the media. Marcus Minutelli of Haw & Inglis, contractors at the site, referred questions to the Provincial Government.

Provincial Transport Ministry Head Hector Elliot confirmed the incident, adding it was “incredibly dangerous”, although he says that because only one rod was cut, it was unlikely the structure would have subsequently collapsed.

He adds that it was a “very stupid” thing to do and put builders at the site at risk.

“I don’t think the vandal intended to kill someone,” he says. “We understand people have strong emotions about this, but there are other channels,” says Elliot.

Graffiti artists have twice vented their frustration at the site last weekend and on Sunday. Road signs were changed, in ways which had Lankers-Byrne says had passers-by giggling. One such comment was “Murray and Robbers”, referring to construction company Murray and Roberts, major shareholders of Entilini, the company that operates the toll road.

Lankers-Byrne saw the graffiti on Monday morning but says within 30 minutes it had been removed.

A security company was employed to guard the site after the first incident.

Len Swimmer, chairperson of the Hout Bay Residents’ Association, confirms lawyer’s letters have been sent to Province, Murray and Roberts and SanParks, to halt building.

The land on which the office building will be located was transferred from the Labia family to SanParks in October 2006. Swimmer says part of the title deed conditions are that the land was sold on condition that it is utilised solely for the purposes of nature conservation.

Swimmer says legal fees are expected to cost a minimum of R500 000. A fund has been set up to cover these costs. It will be administered by Environmental specialist attorneys Cullinan and Associates. “Publicity must be turned into donations,” says Swimmer, who can be contacted on swimmer@telkomsa.net

Alternatives such as an automatic paypoint and boom have been put forward.

Hout Bay Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Tanya Lesch confirmed two cases of malicious damage to property had been opened, as well as one case of housebreaking at a business premises. This latter case relates to the container from which tools were removed.

Terry Wyner, of the Civil Rights Action Group, (Crag) says he did manage a brief meeting with representatives from Murray and Roberts on Friday 10 February, which he says “under the circumstances, was fruitful”.

“The door is slightly open,” he adds.