Nandoni beneficiaries ‘to start receiving monies’
These residents had to relocate due to the construction of the Nandoni Dam in 2000.
LIMPOPO – Residents who had to relocate due to the construction of the Nandoni Dam in 2000 will get their monies paid out before the end of December this year.
This came to light after a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, representatives of the Nandoni Complaints Resolution Committee (NCRC), Vhembe District Municipality and Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, that was held at the Vhembe Department of Water and Sanitation Thohoyandou auditorium last Tuesday.
The news left members excited as Christmas came early for them all thanks to Mahlobo’s resolution to step in and fast-track the compensation process.
More than 1 000 households in 16 villages such as Mulenzhe, Budeli, Tshiulungoma and Dididi were affected.
The Chairperson of the NCRC, Solomon Baloyi was over the moon when he spoke to CV after the meeting with the deputy minister, saying that although it took some years to have them compensated after being relocated, with some being forced to abandoned their land, they now are elated.
According to Baloyi, Mahlobo promised that 1 400 affected households will start being paid their monies from mid-November to the end of December, as he said there was enough budget for such compensation.
According to Mahlobo the delays in payment up until now could be ascribed to incorrect ID’s being submitted, beneficiaries not being on the database and a communication challenge with the helpdesk.
Mahlobo also said that his department has set aside funds to be directed to the Vhembe District Municipality, so that residents from rural communities who stay near the dam and who have raised concern that the dam was not helping them get water, would get water from the pipes to be installed at Nandoni Dam.
He said the municipality will soon appoint a contractor.
