A POWERHOUSE delegation including the MEC for KZN Agriculture and Rural Development and the MEC for KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, called for the eMthekwini community to settle down pending the outcome of the investigation into 28 cattle deaths on a Hluhluwe commercial farm in May.
Ministers Cyril Xaba and Mike Mabuyakhulu, District Municipality Mayor, Clrr Jeffrey Vilane, False Bay Big 5 Local Municipality Mayor, Clrr Gumede and Department of Community Safety and Liaison HOD, Mr Themba Mavundla, met at a special imbizo at the eMthekwini sportsgrounds on Sunday.
The Imbizo was called following a demand by communal farmers to also be heard, in the aftermaths of a violent clash between them and commercial farmer, Mr Arnold Raath on 19 May, when a whole herd was allegedly poisoned after grazing and drinking on the Kaas Farm.
In turn, the community set fire to his land and tractor and allegedly killed rare and valuable Black Impala worth millions.
Minister Xaba earlier addressed the Hluhluwe Farmer’s Association, sparking demands by the community to also have their say.
Boiling frustrations
The incident underlines deep-rooted problems such as lack of sustainable water sources, the terrible and prolonged drought and overgrazing.
Chief Bonga Mdletshe of the Mdletshe Tribal Authority in Hluhluwe, also raised the issue of the land claim lodged by the people of eMthekwini and requested it to be fast tracked.
Minister Xaba however said the claim was being processed through the correct channels and the outcome of the investigation will be conveyed to them upon completion.
He said the Provincial Executive Committee is taking this matter seriously and will be deal with it promptly.
Minister Mabuyakhulu asked farmers to wait for the completion of the cattle investigation and said once samples were received from the animals, more feedback would be given to the community.
They however demanded the feedback within seven days, but Chief Mdlethshe requested patience while the investigation was being conducted.
Although the community said they were still unhappy over land disputes, they agreed to wait until the MEC assists them.
Minister Xaba stressed the importance of good neighbourliness between the farmers and said the department will assist the community with installation of boreholes, where an underground water source will be identified by the departmental engineers, already on the ground in the area.
A programme of Animal Veld Management through the department was suggested to assist the challenge of overgrazing.
