Nkunzana land claim sparks deadlock

A LAND claim has become a bone of contention between the Nkunzana Communal Property Trust and the members of the Nkunzana Concerned Group.

The land in question stretches between the Nkunzana River and Magudu, Ward 1 of Pongola Municipality.

The Nkunzana Trust consists of seven trustees, of which Themba Xulu is chairperson.

Born and bred at Nkunzana

Xulu claims he was raised as a resident of the Nkunzana community by his uncle Ben Xulu, who he claims is buried on the farm.

‘Themba Timothy Xulu was not born on the farm but grew up amongst its community.

‘Whilst young he planted the papaya trees that were at the Xulu homestead. The homesteads were being removed one by one.

‘The Xulu family were then removed including himself, and settled in Vuna area, Nongoma. He then left for his biological mother who lived in Johannesburg and finished high school there,’ he elaborated.

Mpakama divided in two communities – most belong under Okhonjweni Land Claim, which Xulu insists is under Capson Zulu’s leadership, not Nkunzana.

‘The Nkunzana Trust only comprises of 52 beneficiaries, and not the 482 these people are talking about,’ Xulu insisted.

About his detractors

Elaborating on each of the concerned group members, he said Nqaba Ntshangase is from Mgambu farm, which is not claimed.

Xulu continued to say the Nkosi family made a sworn affidavit confirming Ntshangase was never part of the family that was removed from the farm.

The Nkambule family, who claim to have been removed from Silverwood, were not from there.

Induna of Mandlankazi can vouch for that.

While Ndwandwe family were removed from Ukhonjweni farm, a totally different community which does not fall under Nkunzana.

Sebenzile Ntshangase was part of the Nkunzana trustees, but was removed from its membership at a decision taken by the community at an annual general meeting, which he said she didn’t dispute.

About Musa Duma, Xulu said he had never lived on any farm, but stays with his sister at Petergate Primary School where she is teaching.

‘His sister is used by the Trust because of her skills, not because they are beneficiaries,’ Xulu stressed.

Jealousy

Xulu accuses the Nkunzana concerned group members of being jealous of the successes made by Nkunzana Trust.

‘Nkunzana Trust is productive, with an agri-village which will be built on part of Mkuze Falls Game Reserve,’ he said.

He said they are going to give 1 000 hectares of land to the community, as part of community empowerment.

He further said the Trust is going to build a housing village for the community, and two of the Mpakama community members will be chosen to represent the community on the housing committee.

He continued talking about the cattle given to some of the community members, which he said were loaned from his father Obed Xulu.

‘My father loaned us 250 cattle in 2014 which we gave to 100 families. Some of them died, that’s why my father again loaned us more cattle in 2015, to appease the families,’ he said.

As part of community beneficiaries, Xulu continued to say 25 youths have been given chances to undergo code 10 driving lessons.

‘Most of them are happy for being given this opportunity, and we are soon going to put in three more, to do driving lessons.’

He said the Nkunzana Concerned Group is not entitled to call community meetings, therefore as the trustees they refuse to attend such meetings. ‘Only the trustees have permission to call such meetings, not those people,’ he stressed.

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