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As reported yesterday in Daily News (21 May), ward councilor Mr Jackson Dimane, finally appeared on Wednesday at a community meeting in Sigidi village, Amadiba coastal area, Wild Coast.  The community expected an explanation for four (4) forged affidavits in support of the N2 High Way Toll Road. SANRAL plans to put the N2 through our land, close to where the Australian MRC wants to mine a 22km long 1.5km stretch on the Wild Coast.

Mr Jackson Dimane’s statements and the whole meeting was video filmed and on record.

To the amusement and disbelief of close to hundred Sigidi residents, Mr Dimane claimed no knowledge of the three (3) affidavits signed by unknown persons in Sigidi. He said this despite his signature on a separate affidavit filed by SANRAL lawyers where he describes how he met these persons. When asked to point them out, he said that SANRAL should point them out.

He claimed that he would never file any other affidavit than in hand writing. The meaning of this would be that SANRAL has forged his name.

As usual, SANRAL did not show up as promised by Mr Dimane. He apologised for this on SANRAL’s behalf.

SANRAL has avoided meeting Nomvelwana “Lolo” Mhlegana face to face after her name was stolen in forgery number 4. Lolo is an elected member of the coastal Umgungundlovu traditional council. She is also a part of the decision making body for the whole Amadiba area (both inland and coastal). She is a leading member of the Amadiba Crisis Committee. She has since years been an outspoken opponent to the N2 Toll Road across our land and to the Australian mining company MRC. Lolo has filed two (2) other long affidavits against the N2 and SANRAL.

Despite this, Lolo’s name suddenly appeared on a short affidavit in support of the N2 Toll Road. SANRAL high ranking official Mr Mongezi Noah claims under oath that he met her, together with two members of the local mining lobby, in “Mdatya Spaza Shop” on 11 November. There are many spaza shops in Mdatya, all of them with distinct names. Lolo was allegedly convinced to come and destroy her reputation for nothing after a short phone call from Mr Dimane, a person she is in longstanding and sharp political conflict with.

At the meeting Wednesday in Sigidi, Lolo demanded from Mr Dimane to clear her name. “I was the first person to stand up against the N2. I was the first to speak out in Mdatya when SANRAL had a meeting! If you should pick any name for your dirty games, why did you pick mine?” Mr Dimane’s videotaped response was: “I am sorry Lolo, please forgive me!” He was unable to defend his actions. Repeated questions from the community were answered by silence.

In another affidavit, SANRAL’s high ranking officer Mr Mongezi Noah implausibly claims under oath that he didn’t know that an affidavit has to be signed before a Commissioner of Oath so that not any person can claim the identity of a signature. The affidavit with Lolo’s name is stamped next day at the “Mamba” police station (correct name: “Mzamba”). Mr Noah swears it was taken there by Mr Dimane.

SANRAL’s Mr Noah also implicates himself in the affair by claiming under oath that the three other Sigidi residents exist and have signed affidavits collected by Mr Dimane – i.e the three fake names from Sigidi that Mr Dimane on Wednesday now claimed he has no knowledge of.

Nonhle Mbuthuma:

-      ----     SANRAL employees and supporters of MRC’s “Xolco” have been running around like headless chickens in our villages since November. Three (3) affidavits from persons really staying in Mdatya and Sigidi villages have been collected. All other affidavits from SANRAL lawyers are forged or signed by persons living in Bizana or Lurholweni Township and who have relations to “Xolco”. If the coastal N2 project has nothing to do with mining, why have only three pro-mining people signed for SANRAL? The mining and N2 are like wife and husband.

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Representatives of SANRAL at its lawyers continue to avoid all situations where community members in Sigidi or Mdatya villages can put on record with SANRAL present that we are against the N2 Toll Road High Way, that Cormac Cullinan represents us and that SANRAL has sent in forged affidavits to Pretoria High Court.

Issued by Amadiba Crisis Committee