Fear lessl y the tr uth 16 September 2011
Tzaneen, Modjadjiskloof, Haenertsburg, Letsitele, Phalaborwa, Gravelotte, Giyani, Hoedspruit, Lenyenye, Mica, Mooketsi, Nkowankowa, Ofcolaco, Trichardtsdal
3838, Tzaneen • 8 Crown Street/Straat 8 • 015 307 7248 • 015 307 7684 • editor@bulletin.us.com • www.bulletin.us.com
Teeplantasies kry weer (groen)lewe Die asembenemende toneel van Magoebaskloof se golwende teeplantasies wat binnesowel as buitelandse besoekers oor dekades heen begroet het, gaan eersdaags weer in hul volle glorie besoekers aan ons kontrei met die geur van vars teeblare begroet. Die snoeiwerk vorder fluks, sedert Limpopo se regering ingegryp en die boerdery weer aan die gang gekry het.
R3
Tea wrangle Legal battle looming in Makgoba territory
A legal battle over tenancy that bears the colours of similar cases in Zimbabwe and Mocambique is threatening to jeopardise the positive reputation Sapekoe Tea Estate has earned so far. At least two tenants of houses on the estate were removed against their will and relocated elsewhere, while a third tenant, Mr Gideon Breedt, refused flatly to surrender to Sapekoe’s demands. It is believed that the Greater Tzaneen Economic Development Agency (Gteda), who runs the project of revamping the estate, wishes to acquire the houses surrounding their site office to accommodate some of its staff members. Breedt has a legal lease agreement for ten years with the Makgoba Trust and his rent is paid six months in advance. He has spent more than R460 000 on the property to make it liveable. This week he was ordered by the project manager to pay a water and electricity bill of R338 828,36 or his services will be cut. He refused, because it was the unpaid bill of the Makgoba Trust. Within forty minutes he and his family were stranded without water and electricity. They had to borrow generators to keep going, while Breedt’s lawyers advised the Gteda agents in writing about their client’s rights. It is believed that the other two tenants, Messrs Levy Mehlape and Sakkie Meyer, are also busy with legal action against Gteda. Breedt contacted the GTM and even the MEC of agriculture in Polokwane Ms Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, who intended tot look into the matter. Late on Wednesday services were re-
connected to the Breedt homestead, but he has no guarantee for how long it will last. He employs 33 people in his wood supply business, who will be laid off if Gteda maintains its eviction attitude.
Mr Gideon Breedt and his wife Carrie-Anne outside the house where he has spent a huge amount of money on improvements and maintenance.
A senior member of the GTM’s electricity department also visited Breedt’s home and was satisfied that all his documents were in order. The Bulletin tried in vain to contact Gteda’s chief executive officer, Mr Kwena Maphoto. We were told that he is out of town and will only be back in office on Monday morning.