Officials visit Coronation to address community concerns

AbaQulusi Local Municipality officials recently paid a visit to the Coronation area to let residents know they have found a contractor / service provider who will work on the ‘Just Veggies‘ property. Residents were unhappy and frustrated with the closure of the factory.

Elite Crop takes over former ‘Just Veggies’ property

Elite Crop is the newly-introduced service provider for the property that was formerly known as ‘Just Veggies’, a large-scale factory in Coronation. The contractor resumed work on November 1.

Mayor Mkhwanazi addresses reasons behind factory closure

During the visit, AbaQulusi Mayor Sifiso Mkhwanazi said it is worrisome to see a project that was once up-and-running close down due to various reasons. He said he knows there were challenges with the ‘Just Veggies’ property, and believes there was a point where there was no communication between the people leasing the property and the municipality. “We cannot shy away from the fact that this property belongs to the municipality, but we cannot find records to show what actually happened with ‘Just Veggies’ and the municipality; we believe there was a miscommunication.”

Municipality follows due process for new contractor

Mkhwanazi further pointed out that local government is over-regulated and residents tend not to understand that. “The municipality cannot just wake up and take decisions, as there are procedures and processes that need to be followed. As from November 1, this place will no longer be ‘Just Veggies’. The municipality followed all the procedures for the new contractor to start work.”

Mayor cautions residents against misinformation

Some residents showed resistance to what Mkhwanazi was saying, noticing there was a group that was trying to disturb the meeting, Mkwanazi told those present to be careful who they listen to, as ‘there are some people who were after the property for the wrong reasons’. “We are aware that there were ‘zim zims’ who were trying to take over this property only for their pockets to benefit and not the community, so now we are here to let Coronation residents and neighbouring areas know that Elite Crop is the only company contracted to work on this property and no one else.”

Employment plans to be shared soon

Mkhwanazi concluded by saying, “We will soon come back with feedback in terms of how employment procedures will go. People must be patient as Elite Crop cannot just employ over 100 people at once. There are procedures they also have to follow as a company.”

Local leaders welcome the new project

Ward Councillor Bheki Mdlalose and Induna Mr Nkosi showed gratitude for the new project, with Mdlalose saying that, “As Ward 6 residents and surroundings, our road to success has finally come. We thank all who made this project come to life.”

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.