LIMPOPO – Hosi Siyandhani (Famanda Chabalala) of the Siyandhani Traditional Council has vowed to improve Giyani by ensuring that all new structures and buildings are constructed by the law.

Emboldened by his recent High Court victory, which has barred Hosi Ngove from selling or allocating plots or stands on traditional land under the jurisdiction of the Siyandhani Traditional Community, Hosi Siyandhani has now stepped up and is calling the shots on all development taking place in the Giyani CBD.

Meanwhile, the dispute between Hosi Ngove (Penny Mabunda) and Hosi Siyandhani (Chabalala) began around 2010, just after Siyandhani was awarded land claim money and began building a multimillion-rand community office project in Siyandhani village.

However, Ngove, who was regarding Siyandhani as his headman at the time, halted the project, claiming he was not consulted.

Their dispute continued to play out in the courts until years later, in 2020, when Siyandhani was formally recognised as chief.

Ngove allegedly refused to accept this and took the matter to court for review. However, while the review process was still ongoing, Ngove continued allocating sites in areas under the jurisdiction of the Siyandhani community.

Feeling undermined, Siyandhani approached the court to indict Ngove. The judgment, handed down on March 25, barred Ngove from allocating land or collecting levies in areas belonging to the Siyandhani community. The court also ruled that individuals who had built structures on sites allocated by Hosi Ngove must demolish them. Some of these structures are in Giyani CBD.

This marked a major victory for Siyandhani, who had previously stated his intention to remove businesses and buildings in Giyani town that were established with Ngove’s permission.

Speaking for the first time on a municipal platform during a disability awareness event held at Mapuve village recently, Siyandhani said his “stability committee” was going to meet soon to decide on the way forward before he makes some changes in his areas of jurisdiction.

“I want to see all members of the stability committee on Wednesday for further discussion on matters related to Siyandhani’s jurisdiction. After that, we will notify the municipality about the way forward,” he said.

“What I need from the municipality is cooperation to ensure that Greater Giyani changes for the better,” he added, noting that he wants to help expand Giyani town.

“That area near the ‘Welcome to Giyani’ sign when coming from Malamulele will soon be part of the town’s expansion. If anyone has built structures there without our knowledge, just know that we are coming to demolish them. Some have already been given sixty days to remove their structures,” he said, referring mainly to developments within Giyani town.