THE residents of Dixie, who belong to the Vahlanganu clan in the greater Manyeleti area of Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, went to the Kruger National Park despite being at loggerheads and fighting fiercely for their land.
The drama unfolded at a meeting that eventually degenerated into violence.
The meeting was convened by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and other government officials, as well as ward councillor Emeldah Mabunda and Patricia Kubayi, MMC for Economic Development and Tourism for the Bushbuckridge Municipality.
The officials had apparently come mainly to conduct and facilitate consultation on the development of the game lodge project on the villagers' land in the western part of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the park.
However, this did not materialise as the two rival groups were at each other’s throats. The group led by Patrick Gumede insisted that the vote must take place, but the group led by Piet Marimane refused to hold the vote.
ALSO READ: Man 'stabs' girlfriend and takes a video!
Piet refused and demanded a postponement on the grounds that there were still unresolved issues between them, and they needed more time.
"Yes, we want the project, but there are other things that need to be considered first. The project area on the proposed land is too big and needs to be reduced to 600 hectares. We are asking that the dam be fenced for our livestock and that the 800 hectares be reserved for grazing. So how did we get to the vote? and how can we go to the vote without dealing with this first? Asked Piet
Kubayi, however, intervened and called for peace. She urged the Induna to resolve the issues raised by the groups themselves at their special meeting before involving the municipality and the park authority to avoid disputes.
Mogane also declared the meeting cancelled.
"I don't want to be guilty or take responsibility if any of you were hurt or lost your lives because of the meeting. We are here to hold the vote. But this circumstance forces me to cancel the meeting now," Mogane said.
