Community leader Veli Mtileni (left) addresses residents during their meeting at the Davhana traditional authority´s offices last Wednesday. Communities from the six villages in the Davhana area are up in arms against what they term corrupt and dictatorial rule by the local Davhana traditional council. Last Wednesday, villagers arrived at the traditional offices to present grievances to the local traditional leader, Chief David Davhana and his council. Mr Veli Mtileni, one of the community leaders in the area, said the community was fed up with the way things were being run in the villages. He said the council which was running the villages was unconstitutional. According to him, the council must consist of 60% members from the traditional leadership, and 40% should be elected from the community. He said that many undemocratic tendencies had developed in the community, which he said were causing division and delaying development. "We are shocked by developments at Balanganani village, where a new traditional leader has been installed without the knowledge of the people. There are two structures in the same village. This is very detrimental to development and unity in the village. One section supports the one ruler and others support the new ruler. This should stop for the sake of progress in our community." Mtlileni said the latest point of contention was when 32 people who are to work in one of the local forestry projects were employed without following the correct procedures. "We have a standing order here that when there are jobs, the different villages choose their own people. We were shocked to learn that those employed for the project were handpicked by members of the council without involving the community,” he added. Thovhele Davhana David Davhana said they have representatives from all the villages who are part of every decision taken by the council. "I know nothing about what they are talking about. In this community we have a way of resolving challenges if there are any and we want to see things going according to procedure. Everything is done in a respectful way from bottom to the top. Those with issues is a small group who are leading the village astray," he said.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 04:15:04 +0000