LIBUYILE – Tension ran high as beneficiaries of Libuyile Trust voiced their grievances to the minister of rural development and land reform, Mr Gugile Nkwinti and his entourage on issues of corruption and mismanagement of the trust’s funds.
The meeting was attended by hundreds of beneficiaries from parts of Nkomazi, Matsulu, Gutjwa and other areas, and the people were grouped according to their claims namely central, western and eastern residents.
In her opening remarks, the executive mayor of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Cllr Thabisile Khoza, thanked the minister for his intervention in the matter and said it was a day for solving the community’s problems. “It is fitting that we hold this meeting on the seventh day of the week as Jesus Christ himself cried out loud on the cross saying ‘It is finished’. Yes this is the day where all our grievances will be finished,” she said to the applause of many. Khoza also indicated that mistakes made, were corrected through communication.
The residents were then given an opportunity to raise their issues. Speaker after speaker expressed their dissatisfaction about the running of the trust under the current board elected in 2006, under chairmanship of Chief Musa Khumalo, also known as Mthayiza II.
“What pains me is it’s common knowledge we are all beneficiaries of the trust, but in reality only two people benefit from it. The land belongs to Libuyile, but now it is called Mthayiza Farming and we are worried,” a speaker said.
Speakers alleged that since 2006, the farm -situated near the R40 to Malalane – was making profit, but its real beneficiaries did not get anything.
They also alleged the leadership had not allowed them access to the trust’s financial reports. They added allegations that it was only benefiting a chosen few. Questions about the trust’s property, including two garages, trucks and taxis, were also raised. “We want to know how much is being generated by the farm, where the money is coming from and, if there are debts, who the chairperson consulted before settling those debts,” they said.
Mr Sibusiso Khumalo, a claimant and resigned member of the board, alleged that court orders were issued to some of the beneficiaries who questioned the board and added that many of the beneficiaries were not registered. “We need the department of land affairs to give us a date for an annual general meeting to elect a new committee,” he said to loud applause.
Many issues, including the chieftaincy of Mthayiza, were raised. “We know Mpata not Mthayiza in history. Surprisingly there are trucks and taxis with Mthayiza’s logo and we need the full financial reports as from 2006,” they said. The residents also questioned the existence of an alleged close corporation of Mthayiza Holdings.
Chief Khumalo, who was bullied by the audience as some booed while he was on stage, did not refute allegations that they had been in office since 2006. “There had been many challenges as we don’t see eye to eye. Surprisingly, the members choose not to mention any of them. The financial reports for all the years are ready and available and we check them regularly. Representatives of Crooks Brothers Limited are here as they are the investors in this farm,” he said.
Khumalo added it was true that they had last submitted the financial reports years ago after the leakage of a report which was used for campaigns.
In responding to the alleged court order Khumalo said that in 2010 three members of the community led a concerned group and stopped workers in the cane section. “They went to the game lodge and stole towels, files, chairs and even took all the keys and shut down the entance to the lodge. The board of trustees then applied for a court order which was granted by the Barberton Magistrate’s Court to prevent further interuption of work and business,” he said. He also added that the bursary fund had paid more han 15 students to pursue their studies in various fields.
The farm also made headlines last year with its donation of school furniture, comprising desks and chairs worth more than R100 000, to Benjamin Primary School in Matsulu.
To view picture click here: https://www.citizen.co.za/mpumalanga-news/42424/libuyile-trust-beneficiarys-meeting/
