By Zweli Martin Dlamini

NGUDZENI:Charles Ndlovu,the Ngudzeni Member of Parliament(MP) had to intervene and dissolve a Community Water Scheme Committee led by Chairman Mathole Nxumalo after residents complained that,they were no longer benefiting as Nxumalo was using the water for dagga farming.

It has been disclosed that, the project was facilitated by the eSwatini Government in collaboration with international donors from Japan.

Reached for comments on Saturday evening, the Ngudzeni MP confirmed that, as Inkhundla Council they have dissolved the Water Scheme Committee and replaced with it with new members to restore order within the community.

“We  have addressed the matter and after inviting Community Development Officers from the Natural Resources and Tinkhundla Ministries, we decided to dissolve the Water Scheme Committee and replaced it with new members”, said the MP when speaking to this Swaziland News.

Responding to this publication on Sunday morning, Mathole Nxumalo,the dismissed Chairman of the Water Scheme Project denied that, he was using the water for dagga farming.He alleged that, some community members were refusing to pay for the water yet the project requires maintenance including electricity units,hence the need for the beneficiaries to pay.

“Actually some residents were refusing to pay for the water, they wanted to benefit for free such that they even asked those who were campaigning to go to Parliament, to buy the electricity units for them.It’s not true that I was using the community water for dagga farming.Kuyenteka nje ube nengadze bese ukhandza kutsi engadzeni uhlanyela lokwa-nalokwa,lokutsi sente ema-vegie ngoba kute li-plate leliba nemphilo nakute anyanisi, green paper, naloko lokuhlata spinach. Kuyaye kulinywe loko nje bese-ke labafuna kukukhuluma kabi, sebatsi ulima ini-ini bentela kukona nje ngoba phela sisahamba bantfu abafuni kukubona ususa lunyawo”, said the dismissed Chairman of the Water Scheme.

Nxumalo further told this publication that, the project was established and funded by donors from Japan and residents were then expected to maintain it by contributing monthly for the water,however he said, some wanted the natural resource for free.

Reached for comments on Sunday, Nokwane Mamba,the Ngezane community Governor(Indvuna) under Ngundzeni Inkhundla confirmed that, a conflict erupted among residents over the water project.

“After being dismissed,the Chairman later refused to surrender water tanks and opted to run to the police to open a case after a heated argument with other community members.As we speak there’s a court case and we are going back to court on the 11th January 2024”, said the Ngezane Indvuna.

On another note,the Water Project under dispute is servicing Ngezane-Lomfofo residents.

Speaking to this publication Make Thandi Hlanze accused the dismissed Chairman of blocking the water that was benefiting even a school within the area. She alleged that, after winning the recent elections, their MP Charles Ndlovu and the Inkhundla Council organized a community meeting, a few days ago to understand issues affecting them.

“After winning the elections our MP and the Inkhundla Council came here to meet us. Watsi MP “nangi-khankansa ngeva tikhalo ngemanti kwentekani?. Umgijimi wakhomba mine emhlanganweni ngoba ngiphindze ngibe kuBandlancane watsi angikhulume.Ngasho-ke kutsi emanti avalwa ngunangu Nxumalo ulima ngawo lensangu yakhe. We struggling here with water yet government provided tanks, some of the tanks were grabbed by Nxumalo for personal use.He then dragged me to court for speaking the truth during the community meeting”,said the resident, a member of the Inner Council(Bandlancane).

On another note, Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu when speaking to this publication assured the residents that, the issue will be sorted before the end of January 2024 and water will be available.

“We hope to sort out the issues around the borehole before end of January 2024 and be able to provide clean water to all the over 100 homes,” said the MP.

On another note,Make Thandi LaHlandze thanked the MP and the Inkhundla Council for coming back to them so early after winning the elections to address their issues.