A multi-million-rand community project at Siyandhani Village outside Giyani has been suspended, due to a dispute between the chief and his headman.

The construction of the community offices, which were supposed to house a clinic, offices of the Department of Home Affairs and the tribal authority´s offices in the heart of the rural community, was aimed at putting an end to the need for people to walk a long way to attend a clinic or to obtain identity documents.

It is said that the Mabunda Tribal Authority, under the leadership of Penn Ngove, objected to the construction of the project early in February this year, claiming that headman Famanda Siyandhani Chavalala had not consulted or informed them about the project. The community received settlement claims of more than R10 million from the Land Claims Commission under the leadership of headman Siyandhani earlier this year and opted for community offices.

The provincial spokesman for rural development and land reform, Mahlatsi Lebea, has confirmed that the status of the project has been suspended, due to an objection to the development by the Mabunda Traditional Authority. “They are objecting because they say the land where the development is taking place belongs to them and they must be consulted first. Our Deputy-Minister, Thembelani Nxesi, is busy mediating on the matter,” said Lebea.

The MEC for Local Government and Housing, Soviet Lekganyane, had also shown displeasure about the suspended project. He said it is compromised service delivery to the ordinary people. He indicated that the Deputy-Minster for Rural Development would try to mediate in the issue.

Michael Mabunda from the Mabunda Royal Council, on behalf of Ngove, said the royal council had objected to the construction after Siyandhani failed to consult them. "It is not his land where he can do whatever he wants without consulting us,” he concluded.

When Siyandhani was approached for comment, he declined by saying the matter was in the hands of the Deputy-Minister.

A resident, Thomas Mathebula, has expressed the hope that the two parties will settle the matter as soon as possible. “No matter who owns the land, the community wants development," he added.