Mdluli Traditional Council sets the record straight

In a recent communication to members of the Mdluli community, which includes Makoko, Salubindza, Bhekiswayo and Nyongani residents, the Mdluli Traditional Council appealed to members not to fall for untrue facts and wrong information being circulated to them by certain members of the community who allegedly do so for their own personal reasons.

This information recently led to unlawful protests near Numbi Gate, harming tourism and the image of the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and the country.

Community members were incited to engage in protests, which were deemed unnecessary because the reason they were held was not based on the truth and was dividing the community.

They also delayed the creation of employment opportunities, SMME opportunities and the flow of benefits to the community,” the representatives of the council felt.

The issue revolves around the clan’s ownership of valuable land next to Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park, and its management to the benefit of the community.

According to Inkhosi MI Mdluli the development of the Mdluli Safari Lodge project was envisioned 20 years ago by his late father, MZ Mdluli, and had been promoted for realisation during the past few years by himself.

Original differences between the community and investors culminated in a court settlement with many improved benefits for the community. These include a lease term of 45 years instead of 99 years; equitable land rental per month instead of R100 per year; a 50 per cent share for the community instead of 40 per cent; and a new bed levy for every guest staying in the lodge per night.

The share of operating profits earned by the lodge will be shared equally between community and the investors. All the improvements will become the property of the community at the end of the lease term.

The community and the investors signed a commitment to continue with the project in the presence of SANParks and it came into effect on May 14, 2018.

The board of Mdluli Lodge Investments (MLI), in consultation with the trust and the Mdluli Traditional Council, have appointed an operator for the lodge and activities and the MLI board also appointed a construction company to commence with the lodge’s construction.

Hundreds of people, mostly from said communities, will be employed during the construction phase and thereafter.

During a meeting with community members, Amos Mdluli, Vusi Dube and Raymonhd Mhlaba, all opposed the current status quo. They maintained that agreements were secured without proper consultation but could not produce any proof of the allegations.

Amos and his faction said the “exploiters should stop exploiting the rights of the Mdluli community and appealed to government to intervene to help the helpless community”. But according to the CLO of the project, workers on the site and youth in the community are all positive about the project.

Once the lodge is operational, more permanent jobs for community members will be created.

After that Phase 2, comprising 10 lodges of 10 beds each, will be commenced and create further employment and SMME opportunities.

The financial returns from the lodge will be applied in accordance with the public benefit requirements of the Mdluli Trust Deed which include providing health-care services, bursaries and scholarships, as well as the preservation of culture and cultural traditions.

Inkhosi MI Mdluli reiterated that said misrepresentations were made by people without knowledge of the true facts, who instigated members of the community for their own personal reasons.

The meeting with members opposing the status quo revealed that they put forward older communications, which do not reflect the latest agreements.

These misrepresentations include allegations that the land of the community had been sold, but the Deeds Office in Mbombela provided proof that the Mdluli Trust is the owner of the land inside the Kruger National Park, namely the farm Daannel.

Allegations that members of the Mdluli Trust hold shares in the company in their own personal capacity are also untrue as all shares belong to the community through the Mdluli Trust and the non-profit company called Mdluli Kruger Investments.

Benefits will flow to the community through these entities.

During a meeting with SANParks management, CEO Fundisile Mketeni reiterated SANParks’ strong endorsement of the development on the basis that all criteria set by SANParks have been met.

Amos Mdluli again asked for negotiations with all the affected key stakeholders, although documents made available to Hazyview Herald showed that they were indeed consulted.

Mhlaba, claiming to be the secretary of the Mdluli Trust, denied that changes mentioned were made, or that it took place with following the correct procedures, by people who do not have the legal mandate in terms of the Mdluli Trust deed.

It transpired however that Mhlaba was recently removed as secretary by a majority vote of members and that his behaviour during his term is being investigated.

According to the Inkoshi Mdluli the Mdluli royal family strongly supports the project and looked forward to the realisation of their late father Inkhosi MZ Mdluli’s dream.

An interdict against the protesters on the Numbi Road was obtained recently and role players hope that community members would adhere to it since knowing the truth about the developments on community owned land. Members of the Mdluli youth also indicated that they do not support strikes that negatively affect tourism in the area and want the project to continue.