Police were called to defuse tensions between two factions warring over a plot of communal land outside Mthatha.
The groups, one made up of residents from Mthatha West and the other, the Highbury Trust Fund (HTF), both claim ownership of the land and accuse the other of exploiting it for self-enrichment.
Tempers flared earlier this week when a group of men from HTF escorted by police arrived at Tracor premises and distributed letters informing the “occupant” to stop paying “rent” to a group unlawfully claiming to own the land. The letter was signed by King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality member for public safety Soga Mlandu.
A meeting to discuss the matter held on July 1 was attended by officials from the land affairs department, KSD, South African National Civics Organisation, Highbury residents and Chief Mlamli Njemla.
Njemla could not be reached for comment yesterday.
On Tuesday, police were called when angry Mthatha West residents confronted HTF members.
Tenants on the land include a sand mining concern, a number of people living in decaying face-brick structures, and Durban-based WK construction company, which is housing staff and storing equipment there.
The company is laying a 1.5km water pipeline between the Mthatha Dam pump station and a water treatment plant near Myezo Park.
WK’s Ross Shand, who distanced the company from the dispute, said they paid rent to a “community club” but would not disclose the amount.
Mthatha West resident Siphiwo Sineke said HTF wanted “a share in everything we do”.
“We want a new trust account so that the money benefits the communities at large.
“When a person dies or a child cannot buy a uniform, we cough up,” he said. He called for a meeting with Njemla to avoid “spilling of blood” and accused HTF of refusing to disclose how much they earned from a weather station and three other projects on the land.
Another Mthatha West resident, Zanemvula Nobhala, said HTF intimidated them via a group of taxi owners dubbed “Boko Haram”. “They threaten to kill us,” said Nobhala.
But HTF chairman Mbuyiseli Dyalivane said the Mthatha West group was made up of “rogue” outsiders who wanted to exploit Highbury land.
“They want us to join them in exploiting the land but it belongs to our children,” said Dyalivane.
The Mthatha West group further accused Mlandu of taking sides after they were excluded from the July 1 meeting. But Mlandu said all stakeholders were present. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Cops move in as land dispute pressure rises
The groups, one made up of residents from Mthatha West and the other, the Highbury Trust Fund (HTF), both claim ownership of the land and accuse the other of exploiting it for self-enrichment.
Tempers flared earlier this week when a group of men from HTF escorted by police arrived at Tracor premises and distributed letters informing the “occupant” to stop paying “rent” to a group unlawfully claiming to own the land. The letter was signed by King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality member for public safety Soga Mlandu.
A meeting to discuss the matter held on July 1 was attended by officials from the land affairs department, KSD, South African National Civics Organisation, Highbury residents and Chief Mlamli Njemla.
Njemla could not be reached for comment yesterday.
On Tuesday, police were called when angry Mthatha West residents confronted HTF members.
Tenants on the land include a sand mining concern, a number of people living in decaying face-brick structures, and Durban-based WK construction company, which is housing staff and storing equipment there.
The company is laying a 1.5km water pipeline between the Mthatha Dam pump station and a water treatment plant near Myezo Park.
WK’s Ross Shand, who distanced the company from the dispute, said they paid rent to a “community club” but would not disclose the amount.
Mthatha West resident Siphiwo Sineke said HTF wanted “a share in everything we do”.
“We want a new trust account so that the money benefits the communities at large.
“When a person dies or a child cannot buy a uniform, we cough up,” he said. He called for a meeting with Njemla to avoid “spilling of blood” and accused HTF of refusing to disclose how much they earned from a weather station and three other projects on the land.
Another Mthatha West resident, Zanemvula Nobhala, said HTF intimidated them via a group of taxi owners dubbed “Boko Haram”. “They threaten to kill us,” said Nobhala.
But HTF chairman Mbuyiseli Dyalivane said the Mthatha West group was made up of “rogue” outsiders who wanted to exploit Highbury land.
“They want us to join them in exploiting the land but it belongs to our children,” said Dyalivane.
The Mthatha West group further accused Mlandu of taking sides after they were excluded from the July 1 meeting. But Mlandu said all stakeholders were present. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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