South Africa\u2019s High Court has temporarily halted the construction of Amazon.com Inc\u2019s planned new Africa headquarters in Cape Town and ordered the company to consult with indigenous people who say the site is sacred land.<\/p>\n
Building work should cease immediately and developer Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust must undertake \u201cmeaningful engagement and consultation\u201d with members of the Khoisan people, the original inhabitants of the land, the court said in a March 18 ruling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fundamental right to culture and heritage of indigenous groups, more particularly the Khoi and San First Nations Peoples are under threat in the absence of proper consultation,\u201d the Western Cape Division of the High Court in Cape Town said.<\/p>\n
Amazon didn\u2019t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Tauriq Jenkins, a spokesman for the indigenous people\u2019s Goringhaicona Khoena Council, said in a text message that he was aware of the ruling and \u201cwe will now proceed with the review with favorable prospects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amazon Web Services\u2019 clients in sub-Saharan Africa include Johannesburg-based lender Absa Group Ltd. and Nigerian payments firm Flutterwave Inc. but its online-retail operation has yet to build a significant presence in the region.<\/p>\n
While the City of Cape Town approved construction of the Amazon site, saying it will create thousands of jobs and give a boost to South Africa\u2019s Covid-19-ravaged economy, the plan quickly drew criticism from members of the Khoisan people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that the development has substantial economic, infrastructural and public benefits can never override the fundamental rights of First Nations Peoples,\u201d the court said.<\/p>\n