Land row erupts over Sanral road project in Maruleng

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30-07-2025
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Letaba Herald
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A land dispute over Sanral’s road project pits the Maila-Manjana Mahlo group against the Sekororo Traditional Council.

HOEDSPRUIT – A major infrastructure development in Maruleng Local Municipality, Sanral’s Calais and Balloon road project, has sparked a heated land dispute between the Maila-Manjana Mahlo people and the Banareng Ba Sekororo Traditional Council.

At the heart of the controversy is a contested traditional authority claim on some of the areas, including Calais and Balloon, where sections of the new road are being constructed.

The Maila-Manjana Mahlo allege that the land belongs to their chieftaincy and accuse Kgoshi Sekororo of encroaching on their ancestral jurisdiction.

They claim Sanral failed to consult them before launching the project and are now threatening legal action if the government does not intervene.

“This road is being built on our land without our consent,” said a Maila spokesperson. “We have lived here for generations and cannot be erased from recognition or sidelined in development decisions.”

However, Steve Mahlo, spokesperson for the Ga-Sekororo Royal House, dismissed the claims as misleading and baseless. He affirmed that Calais and Balloon have always been under Sekororo chieftaincy and said there is no legitimate chief Maila recognised in the area.

“We do not acknowledge any Maila as a traditional leader. Calais and Balloon fall firmly under the Sekororo authority,” Mahlo stated. “These individuals are attempting to undermine legally established traditional boundaries.”

Supporting this stance is a 2018 Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court order, which prohibits Elphus Morape Mahlo, alleged to be the Maila leader, from conducting any chieftaincy activities, collecting money from residents, or presenting himself as a kgoshi or headman.

The order, granted in favour of the Sekororo Traditional Council and Mmakwena Sydney Mahlo, also bars the spread of notices in areas like Balloon.

Additionally, a letter dated June 2018 from former Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha officially confirms that the Limpopo Provincial Committee on Traditional Leadership Disputes has declined the claim for restoration and/or recognition of the Banareng Ba Manjana Mahlo senior traditional leadership by Mahlo.

Despite these legal setbacks, members of the Maila-Manjana Mahlo group continue to contest the boundaries and demand recognition.

Meanwhile, Sanral has maintained that it followed all due processes, including consultation with the Sekororo traditional authority, which is officially recognised by both the provincial and national government.

“We are engaging all relevant stakeholders to ensure peaceful development while respecting cultural traditions,” Sanral said in a statement.

The Limpopo government has urged calm and encouraged traditional leaders to resolve disputes through established legal and traditional governance structures.

Residents remain caught in the middle. “We need the road, but not at the cost of community harmony,” said one concerned local. “We urge leaders to find common ground.”

Mahlo concluded by saying that they told Sanral to report whoever tries to disturb the construction and have them arrested.