The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has revoked the Vereeniging Airport’s licence due to inadequate fencing and stolen runway approach lights.
This is according to the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), which blames the Sedibeng District Municipality for failing to maintain the airport premises.
“This step has a direct and detrimental impact on the region’s aviation sector and is further hampering the already fragile economy of the Sedibeng District,” said Rian Lubbe, FF+ Councillor in Sedibeng.
Airport licences are renewed annually and are subject to stringent audits and inspections, with failure to meet relevant requirements leading to fines or even closure.
According to Lubbe, this has been the case with the Vereeniging Airport, which failed to renew its licence as a result of inadequate fencing.
“The SACAA requires a secure fence, so the current dilapidated fencing, which allows uncontrolled access to the premises and jeopardises the fuel farm, is inadequate,” he explained.
“Furthermore, the runway approach lights have been stolen, making night flights impossible. Animals roam the premises, and sewage flows freely between the buildings — clear signs of decay and neglect.”
The Sedibeng District Municipality approved a R180,000 tender for maintenance at the airport in July 2025, of which the FF+ said it could not find any evidence during a recent oversight visit.
The party has advised that the airport be closed in the meantime, allowing for repairs mandated by the SACAA to be completed.
“This negligence also creates the risk that the aviation school, which currently uses the Airport for training, will cancel its contract and move elsewhere,” said Lubbe
“The Freedom Front Plus will keep pressuring the municipality to repair and maintain the sewerage system, fencing, lighting and other critical infrastructure.”
The Vaal’s new international airport
Despite the deteriorating state of the region’s existing airport, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) plans to build an international airport alongside a new smart city along the Vaal River.
The department said that it is holding public consultations on the planned design of the Vaal Special Economic Zone (SEZ), allowing comments and input from the local community.
This project, which is intended to attract both domestic and foreign direct investment, is being headed by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA).
With the smart city as its main pillar, the project is expected to drive urban development and create new job opportunities in Gauteng’s “southern corridor”.
According to the department, the planned SEZ will consist of five land parcels in Heidelberg, Kookfontein, Langlaagte, Rietspruit, and Zwartkopjies, and will be supported by a new “aerotropolis”.
This is an industry term referring to an economic zone built around a major airport.
In 2023, Citibank pledged R1.4 billion toward the first phase of establishing a new international airport in the Vaal, along with an aerotropolis comprised of four major zones.
“The Vaal Aerotropolis will be the only airport in Gauteng where integrated air cargo services are designed and planned as a priority,” said the Vaal Aerozone.
“It will have the initial capacity of 7.2 million passengers and 150,000 tons of freight per annum, serving as a crucial catalyst for global business and trade, just 50 minutes by road from Johannesburg.”
The Vaal International Airport will be supported by an extensive road network with direct access to routes like the N1.
Developers also claimed that the airport’s terminal will be “state of the art” with a strong emphasis on international flights.
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