Deeper probe into lodge arson case demanded

The lodge is situated in the Mthethomusha Game Reserve.

“This was one of the biggest investments we had ever had in our area for the past 25 to 26 years. It was not only beneficial to the community, but the entire country and world at large. Losing such a development during the Covid-19 pandemic and in times when many people are unemployed, is a great loss to us as the royal family,” explained Nkosi.

READ: Luphisi youths are passionate about tourism

He believes that the people who had burned down the property were not just sympathising with the young man who had lost his life after being shot by rangers while poaching in the game reserve, but rather have their own agendas.

Nkosi revealed that he had learned from the deceased’s family that they were not involved in the whole saga.

“This argument comes a long way. There are times when people picket and burn things next to the entrance of the game reserve. They either complain about wild animals that have trespassed and devoured their fields and domestic animals. This happened due to a lack of proper fencing on the other side of the reserve. However the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency intervened and brought about a R16 million project to fence the area and to build new offices about three years ago,” explained Nkosi.

Nkosi added that the R16m tender was however withdrawn due to poor service delivery, but talks were continuing to have the project up and running again.
“Some wrongdoings, including the use of poor-quality fencing which was easily stolen by locals, were some of the reasons for the withdrawal of the tender,” he said.

READ: Award-winning doctor makes her mark

Nkosi said the recent incident that left more than 32 guest houses and other equipment burned to ashes and close to a 100 people jobless, has touched him personally. He was even admitted to hospital due to a stress-related illness immediately after receiving news of the arson.

“Although the people were not paid huge salaries, they were able to sustain their families. Having more than 100 people losing their jobs in a single go is so frustrating. We condemn this barbaric act and call on the police to do a thorough investigation and arrest all those who were responsible for the burning down of the lodge,” he said.

Nkosi added that this incident reminds him of the time he had lost his home about three years ago when it was burned down by unknown people because of his relationship with the game reserve.

“Till today I was never informed of any police progress regarding that case. I would like to see the first person to be arrested for the burning of this reserve just to ask him or her if he or she is not the one who had burned my own home,” he said.

The chief added that no major progress was made on previous occasions when locals would either start fires at the gates or steal property belonging to the game reserve.

Nkosi revealed that Bongani Lodge was a holiday destination to prominent figures such as Inkhosi Goodwill Zwelithini, the late Nelson Mandela and many more.

“Tourists from abroad, including Sweden, Germany and Canada, also loved to visit our area. Some left a mark by their volunteer services in the area,” said Nkosi. Recounting some of the tourists’ contributions in the area, Nkosi said, “The Canadians, for example, paid rent for the temporary Luphisi Clinic after it had been blown away by a storm. This continued until the department fully renovated that clinic. They also came on a yearly basis and improved the local school library while spending their vacation at Bongani Lodge.

“It is really hard to believe that all we are talking about is now history because of senseless individuals. The law must really take its toll,” he said.

A case of arson and tampering with government infrastructure was registered at the Pienaar Police Station. Brig Leonard Hlathi, the provincial spokesperson for SAPS, said three people were arrested in connection with the arson and nine animals had been recovered.