Land dispute stalls market occupation
SIPHOFANENI – A land dispute between two chiefdoms within the Siphofaneni Bus Rank has stalled the occupation of a market structure valued at over E2 million for over seven years.
The dispute is between KaMkhweli and Madlenya chiefdoms.
Funds to build the market structure were sourced from the regional de velopment fund (RDF).
A vendor, Make *amedze, high lighted that there were over 100 ven dors who were expected to occupy the structure, but the land dispute had rendered it a µghost structure¶.
*amedze said the structure was supposed to be occupied by over 46 vendors and they were promised that government would extend and build more stalls to accommodate the large number of vendors at the 6iphofaneni %us Rank. The vendor mentioned that they had raised their concerns with the inner councils of both chiefdoms, but nothing has been done so far to resolve their grievance.
Meeting
6he stated that government through the Ministry of Tinkhundla Adminis tration and Development, could also intervene and convene a meeting with the respective chiefdoms to resolve the matter. “It is unfortunate that we have been working under harsh con ditions, yet we have a decent structure built to accommodate us. The land dispute has been a stumbling block to development and improvement of the livelihoods of women under the constituency. We have tried to raise our concerns with the two chief doms¶ inner council members, but it
A section of the vendors market stalls at the rank, as they that have not occupied the completed market structure. appeared that they failed to resolve their differences. We appeal to gov ernment to come to our rescue,” said the vendor.
Also voicing her concerns over the matter, Make Msibi echoed the sentiments shared by Make *amedze, mentioning that the summer season was characterised with constant rains, which subMected them to unfavoura ble weather conditions. Msibi also appealed to government through the Tinkhundla Ministry to convene a meeting with the chiefdoms to find a lasting solution to the impasse.
“The structure has not been occu pied for over seven years and it is deteriorating. The unfortunate part is that taxpayers¶ money was used to construct it for the benefit of the ven dors. Our wares and food products, including vegetables are exposed to dirt, caused by the public transport at the rank. We appeal to both chiefs to meet and resolve the impasses, so that we can be allowed to occupy the stalls,” she said. /ubombo Regional 6ecretary (R6) 6wane Dlamini said she would make a follow up on the matter, to ascertain about the progress made in resolving it by her office.
“I am new, but will have to check it and what has stopped it from not being resolved,” she said.
his understanding of the disputed land, it was mentioned that it belonged to the KaMkhweli chiefdom, but the structure was initiated by the Madlenya Umphakatsi. 6ibandze shared that the bone of contention was that the Madlenya chief dom failed to engage their counterpart at KaMkhweli, in officially requesting the land that the structure was built on. “The only solution to the land dispute is that both chiefdoms meet and resolve their differences so that the vendors could be allowed to occupy it, as it was construct ed for development purposes and to ensure that they were working in a better environment,” he said. Meanwhile, last month, Minister of +ousing and 8rban Development Appolo Maphalala assured /ubombo Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Msibi that he would ensure that 6iphofaneni was declared a town. +e said this after the RA had pleaded with him to declare 6iphofaneni a town after being overtaken by %uhleni and +lane.