The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Honourable General Bheki Cele will meet communities in Mkhondo Local Municipality in an imbizo on 30 November 2015.

About 62 communities were subjected to forceful removals from Mondi forestry plantations to agri villages as identified by Mondi. Several houses were badly demolished in communities that refused to relocate. Furthermore, the communities are deprived of basic services unless they relocate to agri villages. The affected communities have occupied the current residential areas for more than 100 years.

The community imbizo will provide a platform for the community members to interact with the Deputy Minister, Mondi and Mkhondo Municipality on providing solutions to the matter as part of government’s ongoing National Imbizo Focus Week.

Details of the imbizo:

Date: 30 November 2015

Time: 08:30

Venue: Piet Retief, Iswepi, Mkhondo Local Municipality, Mpumalanga

The programme of the day will also include a walk about in the area where houses were demolished.

To RSVP for accreditation, please contact the following officials:

Jamela Nkanyane on 082 346 9781

Gugu Nkosi on 072 420 3333

For further information, contact:

Nonkululeko Mbatha

Deputy Minister’s Spokesperson

083 645 6252

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICAL NEWS