Matibidi residents raise concerns over delayed road project

Residents of Matibidi near Graskop in Mpumalanga have raised concerns over a dispute between two traditional leaders that has stalled a road paving project in the area. The project was halted after the Mashilane Traditional Council accused the contractor of extracting G5 soil without the necessary permission. In court papers seeking an interdict, the council argues that the soil is being excavated too close to homes and graves. The co-ordinator of the council, Matthews Mabilu, explains, “Our reason to go to court is because the contractor defies us when we ask him to stop because this is causing hazard. But actually we started talking to them and plead with them that, please guys, stop doing what we are doing because here the people they are residing and there are tombs around in this area is going to cause problems.” “With the tribal authority of Mashilane, we are the one who initiated this project of road ring towards and around the clinic. We only disagree with the way they are doing it.”