Community to fight for ‘stolen land’
The farm was allegedly sold to Rural Development who in turn is suspected to have 'given' it to someone else.
The community of Tangeni Feedlot, is up in arms after they found out they no longer had the title deed to the farm.
The 2300 ha land, which is approximately 10 km outside Dundee on the Greytown Road, is home to 122 people and their families.
The new land owners initially began by stripping the area of materials. They have now begun phase two which involves construction. A lawyer was appointed to investigate the matter and he found that the community no longer owned the title deed to the farm.
The community of Tangeni Feedlot then took matters into their own hands, halting all construction and forcing the construction company off the property.
The farm was allegedly sold to Rural Development who in turn is suspected to have ‘given’ it to someone else.
The community was not informed of the sale of their land or the scheduled ‘renovations’ consisting of four phases, which are believed to cost over R10-million each. Chairperson of the Tangeni Land Trust, Ayanda Bonga, told the Courier that they were promised a R6-milllion start-up fee, to buy cows and to continue the feedlot, but have never received any money.
“We used our own money – from our own pockets – to look after the farm,” he stressed. The community has vowed to block the main road (Greytown Road) if they do not receive answers ‘soon’.
The Courier approached the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform for a comment on the allegations, Sipho Dlamini (Communication Manager) replied: “Please note we are not in a position to give comment at the moment.”
