Ezemvelo denies losses
EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife Chief Financial Officer, Darius Chitate, told the KZN Legislature that Ezemvelo was not aware of the farm’s historical significance when it purchased Koningskroon Farm outside Ulundi in 2015.
The farm was re-sold at a R5 million loss to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development according to Deeds Office records.
Chitate said the farm was bought as part of the Emakhosini/Ophathe Game Reserve expansion and insists no losses were incurred.
The farm, located 10km outside Ulundi, is part of the Emakhosini Valley and is often visited by King Goodwill Zwelithini and other members of the Zulu royal family to pay homage to their ancestors buried there.
Ezemvelo also bought a portion of an adjacent farm for R4-million.
Amafa not involved
KZN’s provincial heritage conservation agency, Amafa, has recently been acquiring some farms in the area with the objective of creating a heritage tourism hub.
Amafa Acting Chief Executive, Vikinduku Mnculwane, said the purchase by Ezemvelo was not part of the initiative.
Zulu kings buried in the valley include Phunga, Mageba, Ndaba, Jama, Senzangakhona and DinuZulu.
A 2013 archaeological survey by Pelser Archaeological Consulting, commissioned by Amafa, found that the farm had several sacred sites.
In the report it was stated:’The site is seen as sacred and men are not allowed to strike or even touch the ground with their sticks in fear of disturbing the spirits of their ancestors.’