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by Khaya Magenu
12 March 2010
Speculation of divisions between two well known AmaMpondo traditional leaders has come out into the open over the electrification by Eskom of their rural areas. The rift in the relationship between the deputy president of the South African Football Association, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, who is also Amabhala chief, and Advocate Mdutshane, is deepening over the disagreement about electrification.
Reportedly, the saga started at the recent meeting held at Kokstad´s Eskom customer care centre, attended by Amabhala tribal Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Amanci tribal Chief Advocate Mdutshane, Ingquza Hill Municipality Mayor, William Ngozi, community leaders and some councillors. This arose after Eskom allegedly approached Chief Mdutshane regarding the electrification at KwaBhala and Xopozo rural areas at Flagstaff, after they started to dig holes without the knowledge of Nokonyana. He allegedly stopped them and demanded to know why they were electrifying his area without his knowledge. A meeting was arranged at Kokstad Eskom customer care centre to discuss differences between Nonkonyana, Mdutshane, Eskom management and Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, as a facilitator. The report said Nonkonyana took a stand by asking them why they were digging in his his lands without his knowledge as the chief and demanded that Mdutshane must apologise, as a way forward. The report said Nonkonyana also alleged that the holes had been dug where their fathers and mothers had been laid to rest.
Reliable sources said that Mdutshane responded that he will never apologise because he believes that he has not done any wrong. The tension between the two leaders led to the meeting closing without a solution. This has astonished many of the rural poor people, who want to know why their leaders are blocking and destabilising the development of their areas. However, others have labelled it as selfishness and undermining the dignity of rural people. Chief Mdutshane said their differences are nothing to do with development, but are personal between him, Nonkonyana and his local councillor. He admitted that Nonkonyana had demanded that he apologise for not informing him about the development and that he will never apologise.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said, “The truth is the complete opposite of that story: I am the one who delivers the electricity”. He said he did raise the issue in parliament and with Eskom after his people were cheated by the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, stating that they must pay a certain amount to get electricity. “I followed up the information and I found it was a scam and I know that there is propaganda to damage my name,” said Nonkonyana. He revealed that the difference with Mdutshane is over the issue of sending Eskom to his area without his knowledge and agreement.
Ingquza Hill Local Municipal spokesperson, Simphiwe Thobela agreed that the meeting was held to solve the problem regarding Nonkonyana’s complaint. He said that it has nothing to do with Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, but that Nonkonyana is trying to run away because he is being exposed for destabilising the development programme. Eskom could not be reached for comment.
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