BLF takes over KZN lodge, insists: 'These thugs must get off our property'

The property in contention is a hotel and a restaurant at the Sodwana Bay Lodge, which BLF says the local tribal authority has leased to them.

BLF Leader, Andile Mngxitama says a tribal authority indicated that black people own the land and insists "white people don't want to  honour their side of the bargain."

BLF is in possession of a 12-month lease agreement.

A meeting between all affected stakeholders on the thorny issue resulted in a deadlock.

"The thugs could not prove ownership and we took possession of the property," says Mngxitama. 

ALSO READ: 'Dead chickens must be treated as potential influenza' after countries ban SA poultry

Sodwana Bay Lodge's current manager, Herman Combrinck says an interdict has been obtained against the BLF members who have been at the lodge since last Friday.

Combrinck says at least four people affiliated with BLF are at the hotel. 

"It's a silly and stupid interdict which got nothing to do with the lease agreement," Mngxitama hit back.

Mngxitama denied that they are illegally occupying the lodge.

"A lease agreement, legitimate exist between BLF and the landowner, now you have this Jan van Riebeeck people who are trying to do Jan van Riebeeck things - trying to claim that they own a property that they don't," he said. 

BLF has taken over the operation of the hotel.

ALSO READ: Cottage gutted in fire at KNP's Satara rest camp

"For us it's a clear matter: they must back off and allow us to run our business."