WATCH: Community disruptions at official launch of KZN game reserve

Deputy Minister, Barbara Thomson is due to open the Mayibuye Game Reserve in KwaXimba, in the Umkhambathini Local Municipality. 

Officials say the reserve will boost the local rural economy and help create jobs.

However, a small group of community members claim they were not consulted about developments on the land. They say they have been left in the dark since 2007 and their concerns are being ignored.

Meanwhile, the the department says the project is aimed at guiding sustainable growth and providing a basis for addressing constraints to the growth of environmental sectors.

The Mayibuye project has made significant progress since the allocation of some R10-million from the Department of Environmental Affairs. A 45km wildlife fence has been erected, two houses have been refurbished into project offices and gate houses and offices are also being built.

Officials say the project has also unlocked a further R100-million private investment for the development of the eco-estate.

Some 76 jobs have already been created, with 15 field rangers trained and employed.

The local community, the Ximba people, were awarded a land restitution claim in terms of a settlement agreement in 2007.

The beneficiary community will have a 51 percent shareholding in the company that is rolling out the development.