THREE communities from the Mfekayi area in uMkhanyakude took to Mtubatuba’s streets yesterday, marching in protest against Mondi and Siyaqhubeka’s employment and operating policies.

A 12-point memorandum of grievances was handed to Sanele Zuma, Siyaqhubeka Business Unit Manager, and Leonard Magagula, Mondi Business Unit Manager, by Sifiso Mngomezulu, Chairperson of Ubumbano Community Development on behalf of the Nkundusi, Qakwini and Mfekayi communities.

Among other demands, the memorandum called for the termination of all existing contractors and for Mondi and Siyaqhubeka to appoint local contractors on their sites in the area.

Communities also demanded the removal of both the Mfekayi weighbridge operator and Siyaqhubeka management of Nyalazi plantation as neither ‘does anything for the local communities’.

Furthermore, the communities believe Mondi and Siyaqhubeka are responsible for water provision, in the form of boreholes and tanks, to all communities adjacent to their plantations, owing to the high amount of water consumed by gum trees on a daily basis.

Finally, the communities would like to see the forestry giants ditch industrial machines, such as tree planting and felling machinery, in favour of re-hiring retrenched general workers.

Ubumbano Community Development gave Mondi and Siyaqhubeka seven working days to respond.