MIB canal damaged in Matsulu

MATSULU – Currently at risk due to the damage is 5 500 hectares of agricultural land, with potential economic damage of
R300 million per harvest cycle, of which 60 per cent is under black ownership.

According to MIB chairperson, Darryl Pepworth, the dispute stems from the failed service delivery from the City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM) and Silulumanzi.

“We have repeatedly met with CMLM to discuss and resolve the issue, but failed to get a result from it. Due to the municipality not meeting the service delivery needs of the community in Matsulu, it has now escalated to the point that the MIB is affected,” he said.

Since the end of May, the board and its staff have been threatened by a group of men from Matsulu.

“The matter was reported to Malalane, Kaapmuiden and Matsulu police stations, but without success. A meeting was held in the parking lot of Kaapmuiden Police Station to explain how an irrigation board is managed, and then went to Matsulu soccer field for further meetings, but this only led to more hostility from the men,” said Pepworth.

“After a board meeting, two meetings were held with Andile Mabaso, the traditional councillor from Matsulu, but this also did not have a satisfactory outcome.”

On Wednesday July 29 at around 12:30, four MIB personnel were working on a leaking pipe in the Matsulu area when they were assaulted, forcibly abducted and held hostage. Their tools and equipment were taken from them and their lives threatened.

Threats of murdering the employees, chairperson and secretary followed. They also threatened to bomb the canal and further damage the infrastructure.

A board member received a call to say they had damaged the canal.

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Johan Vermaak, the water bailiff, and Pepworth were escorted by the police along the canal in the gorge and they found that a scour valve had been opened and the water was diverted back to the river.

They closed the valve and went to Matsulu Police Station to report the matter and have their employees returned.

The personnel members were then delivered to Kaapmuiden Police Station by the Matsulu police.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson,

Brig Leonard Hlathi, confirmed that a case has been opened against the Matsulu residents at the Matsulu SAPS. However, he did not want to divulge more information because the case is still under investigation.

Pepworth contacted attorney Arnoldt Cilliers of Du Toit Smuts to start legal procedures against this group from Matsulu.

The lawyers were at the MIB offices on July 30 to take statements from all the parties and to draft the interdict.

Pepworth and Vermaak also took the four employees to the Matsulu Police Station, after being turned away at Kaapmuiden, to open a case against the respondents from Matsulu.

The interdict was served on them on Tuesday August 4, however, confirmation is still needed on the return.

“Since our court orders were served we have had very good cooperation from the SAPS,” concluded Pepworth.

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