Aproximately 70 families residing at Moodies have to evacuate their property today, August 31, according to the mutual agreement they have with the property owners. 
However, by last Monday most families were still living on the property and it did not look like they’ll be able to meet the deadline. 

Some residents, who spoke to Barberton Times last Friday, were reluctant to move out. They claim that they’re forefathers lived, died and were buried in that area. They said that their graves should now be moved, which was against their culture. 
Some complained that they had livestock grazing on the farm and the relocation would mean that they have to sell them. 
Besuthu Magongo (60), said she never in her life anticipated to move out of the area as she was born and bred there. “My ancestors lived here and if I move out I’ll have to leave them behind,” she said. 

Talks between the residents and one of the landowners, Kevin Buyskes, took place in 1999. According to Buyskes, various governments departments were engaged in the talks and it was agreed that the government would purchase 200 hectares at Moodies to be given to the residents. 

KaMadakwa was identified as an alternative relocation. The area has since been installed with all the basic infrastructures like roads, tap water, electricity and construction of RDP houses is underway. 
Buyskes said the area which the families presently occupied was earmarked for a huge development that included a dam. He said this development would boost the economy of the town, as it would create jobs for many locals. 

Anthony Sithole, chairman of the committee representing these residents, said the resistance by the families had surprised him. He said they all agreed as a community that once the alternative site was approved, they would occupy it. “In our last meeting at the village all the families agreed to move out and we don’t know who influences them not to move now,” he said. 

Sithole said that a meeting was called last Saturday to try to clarify the situation but no one attended. They wanted to speak to the residents, sort out problems and discuss the possibility of extending the time in which they had to move out. In the meantime landowners asked the chairman of the committee to come forward with a new date for relocation.