Municipality shifts blame over KwaMhlanga abattoir white elephant

The municipality in Mpumalanga, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, seems to be redirecting blame for the long-standing operational failure of the KwaMhlanga abattoir onto its leaseholder, even though the facility has been under municipal control for years prior to the leaseholder's takeover. The facility was originally built by the Nkangala District Municipality and gifted to the municipality on November 8, 2007.

The intended capacity of the abattoir was to process 20 cattle per day, including the slaughtering of goats, and it was envisioned as a means of local economic development.

However, the abattoir has remained non-operational for over two decades. The municipality's manager, Dumisani Mahlangu, has attributed this delay to several factors, including outstanding improvements required from the leaseholder, veterinary compliance obligations, and the process of obtaining environmental and other statutory approvals.

He emphasized that the municipality does not currently possess the total construction cost information for the facility. Mahlangu explained that veterinary authorities conducted inspections and provided recommendations in 2016 regarding necessary measures to be addressed before operations could commence. As a result, the leaseholder was obligated to undertake these improvements in line with these recommendations.

Additionally, the leaseholder was required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and secure the necessary environmental and other statutory approvals before the facility could be fully operationalized. The Environmental Authorisation was granted in 2021.

Nevertheless, Mahlangu did not disclose which compliance requirements are still outstanding, whether the leaseholder has fulfilled its contractual obligations, or when the abattoir is projected to open. The municipality stated that they would continue monitoring the leaseholder's progress in addressing these outstanding requirements.

Mahlangu reiterated the municipality's commitment to ensuring that the public facility is brought into productive use in compliance with all relevant legislative, environmental, veterinary, health, and safety regulations. He further emphasized that the facility is meant to contribute to local economic development, support livestock farmers, and create opportunities for local businesses and employment.

The municipality is dedicated to ensuring that the facility is utilized in accordance with all applicable land-use, environmental, veterinary, public health, and other regulatory requirements.