I stand by my words – Prince Lonkhokhela
MBABANE – “I still stand by my words.”
These sentiments were shared by the Minister of Natural Resources, Prince Lonkhokhela, following that the owners of the Mahamba George (PTY) Ltd, who are the registered owners of Portion A of Farm Johannesloop No.19, said his recent comments were unfortunate.
The farm owners also noted that the minister’s comments were contrary to the rulings of the various tribunals and that of the late former minister.
The minister was asked by this publication to shed light on the statement made by the Mbondzela farm owner.
He said; “While the owner has full rights and privileges over the farm, which are not disputed by anyone and must be respected by all, I still stand by my statement that the demolitions were carried out at night, while occupants including children were inside and sleeping with no warning, without a court order nor the presence of the police, is still wrong.”
The prince stated that because the matter was still before Cabinet, he would not comment further.
A statement released by the Mbondzela farm owners said the demolition followed the clear security threat posed by the farm dwellers to life, property and plants on the farm, especially since the said persons demonstrated a clear disrespect and disdain for the rule of law.
They noted that the perpetrated acts of violence were directly linked to the squatters and included the burning of structures on the farm, such as a warehouse, rondavel, double storey and other assets.
Vandalise
The residents were said to have continued to vandalise fencing along the farm, water lines and pipes and poured and sprinkled poison on the water supply on the farm, leading to four employees being hospitalised.
These, the farm owners stated were barbaric acts of criminality that no democratic dispensation would tolerate and they were hoping that the police would act on them.
According to the farm owners, all the afore-mentioned incidents, including harassment and vandalism, were reported at Gege Police Station, who to date were still investigating and nothing had ever been done despite clear and glaring evidence that the residents were perpetrators of the unfortunate incidents. “About 39 cases have been reported, excluding the murder case and assaults,” added the farm owners.
They noted that as law-abiding citizens, they had approached the courts for a variety of injunctions, some of which were still pending in court.
Also, they mentioned that it was now 14 years since the farm owner had been held to ransom on the farm, with no assistance, yet the residents did as they pleased, to the prejudice of the owner of the farm who desired to develop the farm.
The farm owners added that on May 19, 2024, without any provocation the residents attacked employees on the farm, causing grievous bodily harm, such that one employee was still in critical condition and requiring specialised treatment.
To further demonstrate the malicious conduct of the residents, the farm owners stated that the latest incident was that of abduction, which has led to the murder of one of the employees at the farm.
Right
Furthermore, they noted that the farm was privately owned by Sandile Simelane, who like any other hardworking individual, deserved the right to enjoy the use of his property without interference.
They said in Eswatini, land acquired through kukhonta or through inheritance from a person who previously held title to the land or through other common law means such as acquisitive prescription.
The farm owners said it was strange that the farm dwellers did not even claim that they acquired the land through the above-explained means.