WATCH: BLF claims Sodwana Bay Lodge

The Black Land First (BLF) group has forcibly occupied the Sodwana Bay Lodge and has allegedly threatened to ‘burn down’ the facility should they be evicted.

Last week, about 30 BLF supporters made their way into the lodge rooms and reportedly forced the management to hand over keys to the establishment.

This came after a dispute regarding shares led to the Zikhali Tribal Council leasing out the lodge.

The tribal authority manages the land and developments on behalf of the community while the lodge is owned by multiple shareholders, including Club Leisure, the community and the Scott family (who were given a 20-year lease to manage the facility.)

Following the dispute, Sodwana Lodge general manager Herman Combrinck issued a statement to their timeshare guests informing them that the Black Land First authority was given the go-ahead by the local tribal authority to take over Coral Coast, the Hotel and the restaurant.

The notice warned guests of possible unrest over the matter on 22 April. However, the takeover was non-violent other than verbal confrontation.

‘The current restaurant owner, Mr R Scott, has applied for a court order to contradict and try to prevent the take over from taking place.

‘As your safety and well-being are our first priority, we would want you to be aware and bring under your attention that there might be actions not favourable to you as a guest.’

A source told the ZO that the management was subjected to intimidation by BLF members, but that police were present at the lodge during the negotiations.

The management was also granted a court interdict from the Durban High Court to evict BLF members.

However, BLF chairperson Zah Dlamini denied any wrongdoing and told the ZO that the group was well within its rights to occupy the premises.

‘At the end of the day, there is no such thing as tribal land. All land in South Africa belongs to black people. ‘We did things the correct way.

The tribal authority granted us a one year lease, and when we asked the Scott’s for their 20-year lease, they could not show us one.

‘Now they are trying to get us to leave with a court interdict which we do not believe in. They get their friends at court to give them these things, and we cannot take that seriously.

‘Furthermore, we will be laying a formal complaint about the local police who are misusing their resources.

‘The previous manager is married to the captain, which is why they are trying to intimidate us.’

Zikali Tribal Council representative Maqhawe Zondo said that the community decided to hand over the hotel to BLF.

‘It was found that the former managers had not followed the correct processes while acquiring shares of the establishment. ‘Their portion was then taken back and given to the community.

‘They also agreed that while leasing the property, they would pay a certain amount of money to the community which they did not do.

‘Hence, the community approached BLF to take over and use the place for their political conferences.’

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