The Maguga Dam Project
Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA)
Resettlement and Compensation
There are more than 155 homesteads which will be affected by the inundation of the Maguga reservoir and 35% of them will have to physically move out of the inundation area.
This is naturally a traumatic experience and every effort is being made to ensure that, (a) they are involved in the planning and implementation of the move, and (b) their standard of living at the new location is at least as good as it was in the reservoir area and preferably better.
To cater for the need for alternative land to accommodate those families that have to be moved, a host area, allocated by the Government of Swaziland, has been identified and agreed to by the affected families. The host area was formally a part of the Nyonyane Sisa Ranch near Madlangempisi.
The principle employed for and agreed to by all affected parties for land losses in the reservoir area is that of land-for-land in the host resettlement area. The total arable land to be lost to inundation is about 2 000 hectares. Privately owned fruit trees (estimated at 5907) will also be compensated in kind with new saplings to be planted in the host area and an allowance paid for lost production.
Each homestead having graves located below the proposed full supply level of the reservoir, will be assisted to relocate the graves to other appropriate locations selected by the relatives.
For those families that have to move to the host area, each family will be provided with structures made of modern materials to replace an equivalent floor space area to the structures lost. Each homestead will be provided with an improved toilet, fencing around the homestead and potable water to World Health Standards. The host area will also be provided with adequate communal facilities such as classrooms, medical services and community centres.
An important element of the resettlement planning is to restore the incomes of the homesteads to a level equivalent of better to what they enjoyed prior to their move. Development therefore plays an important role in the effort to restore incomes.
Cattle that once grazed in the area now occupied by the dam works as well as within the reservoir area at large, have already been moved to the host area. Approximately 50% of the cattle owned by the affected parties has moved and are being guarded and cared for by their owners.
With dam construction and impoundment due to finish in 2001, there is a pressing deadline to have all those families that need to move, moved and resettled before this date. Impoundment will not take place if issues related to resettlement have not been adequately resolved by 2001.
Further Details
Further details of the project can be obtained from:
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The Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA)
Suite 1010 The Pinnacle
1 Parkin Street
PO Box 5085
Nelspruit 1200
Republic of South Africa
Tel +27 1311 23 191
Fax +27 1311 24 704
Email kobwanpt@cis.co.za
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The Swaziland Komati Project Enterprise (SKPE)
4th Floor Dhlan'ubeka House
Cnr. Tin & Walker Streets
Mbabane
Swaziland
Tel +268 404 7950
Fax +268 404 7954
Email: komatpcu@realnet.co.sz Website: www.ecs.co.sz/komati/ |
The information provided above does NOT in any way represent the OFFICIAL opinion or views of KOBWA or the Swaziland Government about the Maguga Dam Project
This page was last updated on 05 November 2001
Social and Environmental Responsibility
The Components of the Development
Resettlement and Compensation
The Piggs Peak Bulk Water Supply