Community

MHLAMBANYATSI — A frail 93-year-old Gladies Siketi Sukati leaned heavily on two walking sticks, her eyes glistening with tears as she surveyed the crumbling walls of her stick-and-mud home.

This is a dwelling she has called her own all her life. The winding road from the city leads through the lush, pine-covered expanse of one of the world’s largest man-made forests.  The serene landscape, however, sharply contrasts with the anguish confronting more than 100 residents who face ‘eviction’ from their ancestral homes by late 2026.

The villages of Maplazini and Mambazo, nestled within Mhlambanyatsi and surrounded by the Mhlambanyatsi forests, owned by Montigny Investments, have become sites of heartache and uncertainty.

Sukati, who shares her home with 16 other families, revealed that she relies on antidepressants after learning of an impending ‘eviction’ without adequate compensation. “Tell me, my son, how does one repair a stick-and-mud house like this? What have we done to deserve such cruelty?” she asked, her voice laden with despair.

She explained that Montigny Investments, which acquired the Usutu Forest in 2014, had instructed her not to rebuild her home after it partially collapsed earlier this year due to heavy rains. “They told me to repair the house gently since we are leaving soon. But, how do you mend a stick-and-mud house in this condition?” she said, gesturing towards the wreckage of her collapsed house.

Having moved out, she now shares a residence with her grandchildren.

As she recounted the ordeals faced by over 100 lifelong residents, tears welled in her eyes, a testament to the deep emotional toll of the uncertain future that awaits them.

For Sukati and her elderly neighbours, the ‘eviction’ order feels like a profound betrayal. Many were born and raised in this area, where they have also buried their loved ones.

They are concerned that they are being threatened with being uprooted from the only land they have ever known.

According to documents obtained by this publication, the ‘eviction’ process began some years after Montigny purchased the forest from Sappi Usutu and has recently intensified, as the new owners press to remove the residents.

*…

Legal expert advises caution

MBABANE - A human rights lawyer consulted on the matter indicated that the families may have legitimate grounds to challenge the ‘eviction’ process.

“While the documentation appears legitimate on its face, the context raises serious concerns. If these families predate the plantation, classifying them as farm dwellers is questionable,” he commented.

He advised that the affected families avoid signing any documents without proper legal representation and recommended that they engage with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the global certification body promoting responsible forest management.

“If Montigny is FSC-certified, it must uphold the rights and dignity of local communities. This situation, as described, borders on human rights abuses,” he added.

He warned against the so-called voluntary relocations, describing them as a growing problem in the region. “Once families sign these documents, it appears as though they have left willingly, making it difficult to contest injustices later,” the lawyer said.

*…

Montigny denies eviction claims

MHLAMBANYATSI - Montigny Investments’ Community and Risk Manager Sihle Mavuso has denied allegations of forced ‘eviction.’

Mavuso maintained that the company is merely facilitating ‘voluntary relocations’, with compensation depending on the structures owned.

“If residents choose not to leave, we respect their decision, but the Farm Dwellers Act of 1982 will guide on how we proceed,” Mavuso stated.

He also disputed claims that some families hold ownership of portions of the forest, asserting that, to his knowledge, the entire forest belongs to Montigny Investments.

*Full article available in our publication.

93-year-old Gladies Siketi Sukati, who could not control her emotions regarding the looming evictions standing next to her collapsed house. Sukati alleged that Montigny stopped her from rebuilding her house claiming that their days in the area were numbered. (Inset) The location of Mhlambanyatsi (arrow). (Pics: Khaya Simelane)

Another homestead at Maplazini, which has rejected the E150 000 relocation compensation offered to all families of Mambazo and Maplazini by Montigny.