Celani Sikhakhane
For over 28 years the traditional leadership of the Qwabe family of Nkwenkwezi in Othongathi have been fighting to get back their ancestral land.
They are now accusing government officials of colluding with farmers against their claim.
The fight is about the Tongaat Huletts land in Othongathi, in KwaZulu-Natal that is claimed by Inkosi Bonokwakhe Gumede and his community.
Inkosi Gumede and his Qwabe traditional council have also written to KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala raising their concerns over the delay of this land claim and the alleged corruption of government officials.
Qwabe said they made a land claim in 1994 and in 2006 a notice of 60 days was issued for anyone to file a dispute. About 120 farms were gazetted which is equal to 13,000 hectares.
“Unfortunately some government officials took advantage of vulnerable community members and tried to turn beneficiaries against each other,” said Gumede.
He said some of the farms that were part of the claim are no longer listed because of the corrupt officials who are making deals with farmers.
In a letter to Premier Zikalala the Qwabe said government officials have also met behind the scenes with farmers and advised them to take the community to court.
The letter claims the farmers have been advised to approach the courts and argue that the land was not occupied by anyone when they started farming on it.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo said the Qwabe land claim was taken to court but they didn’t win the case.
“The matter was then taken to the Department of Justice after they formed a trust,” said Ngcobo.
Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said: “We are aware of this issue and attended to it last week.”
He said they won’t be able to summarise all the details because he was going into a meeting.
Tongaat Hullets spokesperson Nkonzo Mhlongo confirmed that the matter has been brought to them but said it was with the Department of Justice which would pave the way forward.
Scrolla.Africa understands that the claimants ended up fighting with each other after some were accused of taking bribes from farmers.
