Despite millions of rands being pumped into President Jacob Zuma’s Masibambisane agricultural project by the Eastern Cape government, not all rural villages are benefiting as they should.
Villagers complain they have asked for help but nothing has come their way.
To date, R250-million has been pumped into the project by the Eastern Cape government, according to previous MEC Zoleka Capa.
Villagers of Tanga near Butterworth are fighting over the project as only a few are allegedly benefiting.
In other areas like Chalumna and King William’s Town, there are no known project benefits.
Since 2009, the province has been part of the Masibambisane project which aims to assist with massive food projects.
“We are working in the Eastern Cape and the project is doing fine but for further comments the provincial agricultural department should assist you as they are managing the projects that side,” said Sibusiso Mzobe, the national deputy chair of Masibambisane.
But spokesman for the rural development and agrarian reform department, Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha, said they were not working with Masibambisane on any project.
“We receive no funding from them and we never funded them. We are not working with them, there are no projects that involve us, which are linked to Masibambisane,” he said.
Mzobe said he was also aware of the fights but “those are people who want this project not to succeed”.
Since Masibambisane started operating in the province, tractors, fertilisers, implements and other tools such as wheelbarrows, rakes and spades have been distributed to a number of villages in the province. Despite this, many fields lie unattended.
Those which are active, allegedly benefit a few individuals. A villager and community leader in Chalumna, Bonisile Dyani said this was worrying.
“We have fertile fields but we do not have tools to work them. Many projects are in the former Transkei, Mooiplaas and Peddie, why not Chalumna?” asked Dyani.
In Tanga village in Butterworth, a senior government official, Mathemba Gcasamba is allegedly keeping some of the farming resources at his house.
When contacted by the Dispatch, Gcasamba refused to comment.
In a recent legislature session, the DA’s Veliswa Mvenya asked the MEC for rural development and agrarian reform, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, if he was informed of the alleged delivery of these farming utensils to the private residence of individuals in Tanga.
Qoboshiyane said he was not aware of the delivery of tractors to private residences.
“However in the past, tractors and implements were provided to traditional leaders and deserving co-ops in the affected areas. Tractors remain the property of the department.”
In his response, Qoboshiyane said inputs were delivered to certain sites for safe-keeping.
“The Banjwaludaka Mtshananeni co-op at Tanga village is among the projects funded by our department.
“These are stored at central households for safety.” — bonganif@dispatch.co.za