Controversy surrounds a failed Zululand agricultural project into which the government and Eskom have poured millions of rands.
Serious allegations have been made concerning the bumbled project - whose failure has left local people feeling bitter.
The issue began when Nomcebo Zondi, now chief director of the provincial land reform office, and Silondile Mkhize, founder members of the Phezu-komkhono Co-operative, took ownership of a R700 000 farm near Empangeni six years ago.
The co-operative received more than R1 million from the department to start a poultry business, grow paprika, tea and rice. It also received a tractor through the agricultural department's mechanisation programme.
A further R1,5 million was spent through Eskom's development foundation to build a farm to breed catfish for export.
When The Mercury visited the farm recently, there was no evidence of activity. Buildings had been reduced to rubble and only the remains of the half-built fish-breeding ponds could be seen. There was no sign of ploughed fields, chicken houses, or even a tractor.
Mkhize claimed locally instigated criminals had prevented the project from getting off the ground. "We wanted to grow paprika and had 5 000 chickens, but criminals came and hit our workers. They even killed somebody. They stole the fencing and broke down all our buildings."
However, local traditional leader Zenzo Zungu denied claims about the role of criminals. He handed a document to The Mercury, which showed that money given to the group in 2001 by the traditional affairs department was spent on offices set up at Zondi's home.
"Mrs Zondi - she was a lawyer then - came to me at tribal court and asked that I call my people together because they wanted to start a development project for our women. After some time passed, I heard they were given R250 000 from traditional affairs. I wanted to know who had the money, who had decided on the co-operative - but they (Zondi and Mkhize) just kept quiet."
"I called traditional affairs and told it what had happened. It promised to set up an audit, but we haven't heard anything."
Zungu claimed the project had failed because the government had not authenticated written submissions.
"Our people were used to get money - they got it in our name - which is very wrong."
The traditional affairs department did not respond to questions from The Mercury.
However, land affairs spokes-man Sipho Dlamini confirmed, on behalf of Zondi, that she was a founder member of the co-operative.
"And about R1,3 million was allocated to the project which was paid directly to the land owner and service providers."
Dlamini confirmed that the project had collapsed.
A "taking parliament to the people" report showed the co-operative had received a tractor and 3 000 chickens from the agriculture department. Busi-ness management training and a poultry mentor were provided, construction of an abattoir was under way and a plan to market the paprika overseas was in the pipeline. According to a source, Mkhize travelled to Paris to find buyers. But the report suggested markets should have been found locally. Theft, skills development and budgeting were listed as challenges.
Eskom confirmed that its development fund had paid more than R1,5 million towards the construction of fish ponds.
Meanwhile, a local farmer has said: "The area is not suitable for paprika and crime is rife there. The project just wasn't viable."
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