By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The Libyan leader Muamar Gadafi is the owner of half the land in Pujerra and a third of that in Júzcar in the Serranía de Ronda. This has been confirmed by the mayors of both municipalities, Francisco Macías and David Fernández respectively. They say they have no information on the companies involved.
A finca of 7,200 hectares is owned by the Libyan State. In the deeds appear the names of the Libyan Foreign Bank - the Banco Exterior Libio and extends over five municipalities: Benahavís, Estepona, Igualeja, Júzcar and Pujerra.
It is in the latter two municipalities that the Libyan ownership has not been known by the residents or that Gadafi has owned much of their land for many years. Initially these lands were owned by the Unión Resinera Español and later purchased by the Libyan bank.
In the case of Pujerra Gadafi owns some 1,000 hectares although the mayor believes it could be higher as nobody is any too sure who owns what. As the land mass of Pujerra is 2,400 hectares Macias observes the Libyan leader could have around half. The holding runs from La Venta de Tía to Los Baños de la Corcha on the boundary with Benahavís.
Macias says that some years ago directors of the Libyan bank arrived in the village to talk about building 400 luxury homes in the municipality “but they disappeared and since then we have not heard from them.”
A similar situation exists in Júzcar where Libya has acquired 1,384 of the 3,400 hectares in the municipality. Mayor David Fernández says he has been in office for four years and never during that time has there been any contact with the owners. Again the finca runs from La Resinera to the boundary with Benahavís.
In both cases the land acquired by the Libyan bank is principally pine forest and mountainous. At the start of the year a 60 kms long wire fence was placed around the land. However both mayors say the land is used for hunting.
Curiously around seven years ago some land owners in the area were approached by foreign investors who wanted to buy their lands with chestnut plantations for sums far above the market value. All turned the offers down as the lands have been passed from father to sons over generations and the chestnut crop is one of the main sources of income for families in the area.
POLICE GUARD FOR PENSIONERS
Recently the local police in Ronda issued a warning to retired people when they go to collect their pensions. They were told they should be on their guard for robbery attempts and if possible go to the bank with a younger member of the family.
Now the police have placed plain clothes officers on the streets and outside the main banks in order to spot potential attackers. They are backed up by a waiting patrol car that can be on the scene in minutes. Initially the muggers came to Ronda from other towns and villages but in recent times those arrested have been living locally.
There was an attack just two weeks ago when two women assisted by a youth assaulted a pensioner in the avenida Martínez Astein. They attacked him with force and snatched his wallet containing his pension money.
The first woman grabbed the man by the shoulders whilst the second went for the wallet. The youngster was nearby keeping a look out for people or the police approaching.
The majority of the attacks are on victims as they leave the bank with their money especially those who seem confused or have obvious mobility problems. The chief of Ronda’s local police, José Carrasco, said the modus operandi was always the same. One of the group closely monitors the movements of their target as he or she enters the bank. They then watch to see if they withdraw a large sum of money. If so then when once out on the street the pensioner will be distracted as a gang member asks a question. Whilst this is going on another will attempt to lift the wallet or purse and often the victim has no idea they have been robbed until after the thieves have fled.
The problem for the police is that in the majority of cases no violence is involved. Hence if the thieves are caught the fine is small. However in the case of the pensioner who was attacked by the two women, they and the youth have been arrested and face robbery with violence charges.
In recent weeks ten such cases have been reported to the police. The vast majority, 95 per cent, are classed as simple theft with just five per cent being the more serious robbery with violence.
Old people living alone
The National Police in Ronda have also recently arrested three people aged between 24 and 27 years of age accused of robbing old people who lived alone. A number of such crimes have been reported where the victims were intimidated in their own homes.
Two of the trio are being held in prison awaiting trial. They are believed to have been incriminated in a crime committed on March 27 when an old person was threatened with a knife then their money and jewellery was stolen. However there have been other incidences where access was gained to the property by asking for a glass of water and once inside the victim is held at knifepoint.
MARÍN SHOUTED DOWN
The Partido Popular in coalition with the Partido Andalucista now rules in Ronda. At the last election Antonio Marín was re-elected PA mayor but then he and his fellow eight councillors defected to PSOE being officially labelled political turncoats. At the swearing in ceremony Marín, the PSOE candidate for mayor, gave a bitter speech saying the socialists should be in power because they had the most votes and pledging to take back the mayoralty. He was shouted down by many of those attending and the new PP mayor, Maripaz Fernández, had to appeal for calm.
RUN DOWN
A 77-year-old man was run down on Tuesday afternoon in the avenida de Málaga in Ronda. The accident happened with the junction of the calle Escuerdo Marcos de Obregón when he was hit by a car driven by a youth who was over the alcohol limit. He was rushed to the local hospital with a broken hip and is in a serious condition.
MISTER DEPUTY
Failed politicians don’t fade away they are just given jobs elsewhere. PSOE has lost power in Ronda so that means the party now twiddles its thumbs in opposition for four years. Now PSOE in Málaga province has proposed that its senior socialist in the town, Francisco Cañestro, should be appointed a deputy on the provincial administration. He is just one to be promoted.
RUMANIANS NABBED
Four Rumanians aged between 21 and 46 years of age have been arrested in Ronda. On Thursday the gang roamed between the Cuesta de Santo Domingo, plaza España and Puente Nuevo lifting wallets, bags, mobile phones and even expensive video cameras. One of the women pretended to have a fit, the others sought help and they lifted the items in the resulting chaos.
TRAGIC DROWNING
An elderly man in Benaoján was found drowned in the reservoir at the Paraje del Nacimiento. At 17.05 on Thursday the 112 emergency service received the call to say a body had been discovered. The Guardia Civil, local police and ambulance service attended the scene. One theory is the victim slipped and drowned. Although officers are investigating there were no signs of violence.
BRIDGE PETITION
Residents of El Burgo are angry that Málaga province has closed the Puente de Málaga hence all traffic into the village via the bridge has to be diverted. A petition of 300 signatures has been collected as many families are now cut off. The Roman bridge was closed on May 20 and is in a bad state and is meant to be repaired.
ONE EAR
Bullfighters who perform well in the ring are often awarded with an ear by the spectators. However for young Ronda matador Salvador García his encounter with a late night crowd of drinking youths at the town’s Blas Infante ended in a brawl. One of them bit of part of his ear which cannot be reconstructed. He was taken to Málaga’s Carlos Haya hospital.
GARDEN PLAQUE
One of Antonio Marín’s last acts as mayor of Ronda was to unveil a plaque marking the upgrade given to the Jardines de Cuenca overlooking the Tajo gorge. The work was possible thanks to a 245,000 euros grant for tourist improvements by the ICO. The walls have been raised, new paths laid, lighting, seats and rubbish bins renewed plus all the beds replanted.
QUICKER TRAINS
From June 12 Renfe has upgraded the trains on the twice daily Ronda – Málaga service with the result that the journey will now take up to five minutes quicker. The train leaves Ronda for Málaga at 7.12 and now arrives at 9.03. In the evening the return leaves Málaga at 18.40 and is back at the town of the Tajo for 20.35.
RONDA PHONE
A 28-year-old from Ronda, Alejandro López, has designed a download for iPhones that will give the users important information about the town. It is being accessed by residents and tourists and gives information on duty chemists, film showings, cultural events, restaurants and much more. Alejandro hopes that he can reach agreement with the town hall to make it a tourist resource for Ronda.
ENGLISH WALK
Englishman Andy Cameron who lives in Ronda has walked 3,200 kilometres from Rome to the town in 45 days. He suffered from cancer and wants to create a foundation for sick children - his objective is to raise 50,000 euros in two years. He intends to write a book on his experiences on the walk and his website can be viewed at www.romaronda.info.
