Police were called to intervene at the Bumbane Great Place‚ situated about 30km outside Mthatha‚ when villagers on Wednesday protested against AbaThembu king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
Residents from four villages near the great place accuse Dalindyebo of employing relatives and people from far-flung villages instead of local residents for a road project meant to benefit the community.
The project will see a 15km stretch of road to the king’s home being paved. His property will also be fenced. Other agricultural projects have also been identified. The project‚ which is worth R22-million‚ will not only focus on Bumbane but other areas within the King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality.
Community leader Toto Phaphu accused the king of insulting them when they demanded answers.
“We are residents of Bumbane‚ but none of us will be getting jobs in this paving protect. He called police saying he was in danger and the people that he’s going to employ will be in danger. We blocked the main entry to his place because we wanted to be part of that meeting‚” said Phaphu.
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed that police were deployed to the king’s place.
“They went there to monitor the situation as the people were protesting about jobs. Police will continue monitor the situation there‚” said Fatyela.
The king spokesman’s Mfundo Mtirara said there was no way that the king could employ people from his local village and ignore other people. “These people are dreaming that this will happen. We are to employ people from all the villages under the leadership of the king‚” said Mtirara.
Villagers accuse king Dalindyebo of nepotism
Residents from four villages near the great place accuse Dalindyebo of employing relatives and people from far-flung villages instead of local residents for a road project meant to benefit the community.
The project will see a 15km stretch of road to the king’s home being paved. His property will also be fenced. Other agricultural projects have also been identified. The project‚ which is worth R22-million‚ will not only focus on Bumbane but other areas within the King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality.
Community leader Toto Phaphu accused the king of insulting them when they demanded answers.
“We are residents of Bumbane‚ but none of us will be getting jobs in this paving protect. He called police saying he was in danger and the people that he’s going to employ will be in danger. We blocked the main entry to his place because we wanted to be part of that meeting‚” said Phaphu.
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed that police were deployed to the king’s place.
“They went there to monitor the situation as the people were protesting about jobs. Police will continue monitor the situation there‚” said Fatyela.
The king spokesman’s Mfundo Mtirara said there was no way that the king could employ people from his local village and ignore other people. “These people are dreaming that this will happen. We are to employ people from all the villages under the leadership of the king‚” said Mtirara.
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