‘Hands off our land!’ – Melmoth protesters

Members of Isizwe sakwaDludla Community Trust have threatened to intensify protests until their grievances are addressed.

Scores of trust members blockaded the R34 between Ndundulu and Melmoth with logs, trees and burning tyres on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Alfred Dludla said they want Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza to nullify the agreement signed by their former chairperson with the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) because they have not benefitted from it.

They said they have written numerous letters to Didiza requesting this intervention.

‘Our former chairperson was not authorised by any of our members to enter into that agreement.

‘We need to place it on record that he was not even a beneficiary.

‘The majority of us voted him out, but he is still recognised as the chairperson.

‘We have used all available avenues to get the attention of Minister Didiza, but our efforts are in vain. ‘People have taken a resolution to stage protests until she listens to us.

‘We were recently invited by SAFDA to a meeting.

In that meeting we were badly assaulted by 11 bodyguards attached to the SAFDA chair, Dr Siyabonga Madlala.

‘The only thing we need from them is to stay away from our farms.

‘As the Dludla Community Trust, our plan was to work with previous farm owners so we could learn from them and be able to sustain our farms, but we can’t do that because SAFDA has taken over without our consideration. We are prepared to die for our forefathers’ land,’ he said.

SAFDA spokesperson, Nomonde Mlondo explained that the agreement in question was not between their chairperson and SAFDA, but between Isizwe sakwaDludla Community Trust and SAFDA, regardless of who the chairperson is or was.

‘As SAFDA we have opened a case against one of their members working in the forensics section of SAPS in uMlazi.

‘This woman barged into our meeting in Mount Edgecombe two weeks ago wearing civilian clothes.

‘She was not invited. She was accompanied by a mob wielding knobkerries and placards with messages hostile to SAFDA.

‘Out of courtesy, Alfred and this woman were allowed to sit in on the meeting by Dr Madlala.

‘When they were asked to address SAFDA leaders they refused. They became rude, unruly and started insulting Dr Madlala.

‘They became aggressive and started attacking SAFDA members who were walking out of the auditorium. ‘The woman took her SAPS-branded pepper spray and aimed it at the farmers and leaders.

‘One of our leaders was punched in the face by her and was sprayed directly in the eyes.

‘He eventually went to open a case and received medical attention,’ Mlondo said.

Attempts to obtain comment from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo were unsuccessful.  

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer