Police had to be called in to maintain order at Bumbane Great Place when angry villagers protested at the home of AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
At the centre of the dispute are government programmes meant to create jobs for locals.
Included is a R22-million rural development project for a 15km stretch of road and fencing at the Great Place. Agri-projects have also been identified where villagers will mostly benefit.
The residents accused the king of hiring relatives, including his wife Nokwanda, and people from far-flung villages. They said locals from Bumbane, Mkhwezweni, Mdilikweni and Nkalweni villages were being overlooked.
The situation became tense on Wednesday when protesters blocked entry to Dalindyebo’s home and demanded a meeting to discuss their concerns.
It is alleged during the meeting Dalindyebo said he did not feel safe, and called the police.
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed police were deployed to the Great Place.
“Police went there to monitor the situation as the people were protesting about jobs.”
Community leader Toto Phaphu claimed that instead of answering their questions, Dalindyebo insulted them at the meeting.
“We are residents of Bumbane, but none of us will be getting jobs in this paving project.
“We blocked the main entry to his place because we wanted to be part of that meeting. Not only his relatives must benefit, we want employment as well,” said Phaphu.
Bumbane community board member Mxakamisi Nkomonye accused Dalindyebo of threatening them.
“He feels threatened and said he will remove the company on site instead of giving us jobs. We are saying no one will be employed here.
“If the situation is like this, the company must leave the site, we don’t care,” said Nkomonye.
“We will protest until our people are employed here instead of his relatives and wife.”
Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara said there was no way the king would only employ people from his local village and ignore others.
“We are to employ people from all the villages under the leadership of the king. This project is for many, not a few,” said Mtirara.
Mtirara dismissed as “lies” allegations the king’s wife and relatives were employed on the project.
“There are no people employed on this project . The wife is employed on another project.”
Last week, 200 villagers halted construction on the road to Bumbane Great Place by stoning trucks.
Three people were injured, including the king’s brother, Prince Nkululeko Dalindyebo.
Villagers were complaining the king had allowed people outside ward 20 – their ward – to be employed on the project. A 20-year-old woman was later arrested for malicious damage to property. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Protest blocks off king’s home
At the centre of the dispute are government programmes meant to create jobs for locals.
Included is a R22-million rural development project for a 15km stretch of road and fencing at the Great Place. Agri-projects have also been identified where villagers will mostly benefit.
The residents accused the king of hiring relatives, including his wife Nokwanda, and people from far-flung villages. They said locals from Bumbane, Mkhwezweni, Mdilikweni and Nkalweni villages were being overlooked.
The situation became tense on Wednesday when protesters blocked entry to Dalindyebo’s home and demanded a meeting to discuss their concerns.
It is alleged during the meeting Dalindyebo said he did not feel safe, and called the police.
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed police were deployed to the Great Place.
“Police went there to monitor the situation as the people were protesting about jobs.”
Community leader Toto Phaphu claimed that instead of answering their questions, Dalindyebo insulted them at the meeting.
“We are residents of Bumbane, but none of us will be getting jobs in this paving project.
“We blocked the main entry to his place because we wanted to be part of that meeting. Not only his relatives must benefit, we want employment as well,” said Phaphu.
Bumbane community board member Mxakamisi Nkomonye accused Dalindyebo of threatening them.
“He feels threatened and said he will remove the company on site instead of giving us jobs. We are saying no one will be employed here.
“If the situation is like this, the company must leave the site, we don’t care,” said Nkomonye.
“We will protest until our people are employed here instead of his relatives and wife.”
Dalindyebo’s spokesman Mfundo Mtirara said there was no way the king would only employ people from his local village and ignore others.
“We are to employ people from all the villages under the leadership of the king. This project is for many, not a few,” said Mtirara.
Mtirara dismissed as “lies” allegations the king’s wife and relatives were employed on the project.
“There are no people employed on this project . The wife is employed on another project.”
Last week, 200 villagers halted construction on the road to Bumbane Great Place by stoning trucks.
Three people were injured, including the king’s brother, Prince Nkululeko Dalindyebo.
Villagers were complaining the king had allowed people outside ward 20 – their ward – to be employed on the project. A 20-year-old woman was later arrested for malicious damage to property. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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