THE Olifants reticulation water supply project at Skaapplaas outside Seshego was recently brought to a halt by people claiming to be the rightful owners of the land. The people, calling themselves the Mahlambandlovu Community Property Association stopped the project after the Polokwane Municipality failed to meet with them. They are accusing the municipality of invading their land.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Malose Gwangwa said they had requested the mayor, Freddy Greaver and municipal manager, Conny Mametja to meet with them since the project began in October 2012 with no result.
“No one ever engaged with us about this project. We wrote several letters to the municipality requesting to meet the mayor and the municipal manager, but they never honour our invitations, and their project continues on our land,” he said.
Gwangwa went on to say they now believed that the municipality would only come to them if the project was halted, and the workers were evacuated from their land.
“We are not against the project as we understand there is a shortage of water, and the challenges faced by communities, but we cannot let the municipality invade our land disrespectfuly and continue to disrespect our invitations,” he said.
“We demand the answers.”
He further claimed that 11 of their cattle were lost as the fence was cut when the project started.
Gwangwa said the municipality’s invasion covered two hectares of the association’s land.
The association consists of about 395 beneficiaries. They use the land for grazing and farming (chickens and cattle) purposes.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene said the municipality would investigate the matter and ensure it was dealt with to to please both parties.
“We will ensure the matter is put to rest after our investigations as we are still looking into the matter,” she said.
