World heritage site closed amid financial crisis

The future of Makapansgat Valley Cave outside Mokopane, a World Heritage site in Limpopo, is under threat. The cave was closed last year after the Lottery board suspended funding worth R28 million.

The board accuses the Heritage Resources Agency of not paying tax and failing to disclose the grant in its annual report. Meanwhile 63 employees have lost their jobs as a result of the closure.

Since the 1920s there have been important discoveries made at the site. These include a fossil dating back to 3.3 million years ago. There is also a record of human occupation dating back to the Stone and Iron Ages.

Meanwhile the board has promised to reconsider the grant if its concerns are addressed.