The Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders has held a meeting with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform raise concerns regarding invasion of land in Traditional Authorities around the province. Other stakeholders that attended the meeting include District Municipalities, Local Municipalities, South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Acting Chief Magistrate of Nelspruit, Mr MJ Ngobeni.
The House of Traditional Leaders have been undated with complains from Traditional Leaders throughout the province about the invasions that are happening in their land. These invasions also happen in state land throughout the province. In some cases there are individuals who are selling the invaded land to unsuspecting members of the public. Some pieces of land that have been invaded, is land that is under claim in the land restitution programme.
There were complains that the Police were not attending to these complains when Traditional Leaders tried to lay criminal charges against these land invasions. The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS has issued an instruction to all Police Stations in the province to attend to these cases when they are reported. People to be involved in land invasion and illegal selling of land will be arrested.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has undertaken to work with Traditional Leaders and local municipalities to investigate all cases of land invasions. The department will also fast-track the process of finalising all outstanding land restitution claims. Traditional Leaders and municipalities were requested to be vigilant and to immediately report land invasions to the Police and the department. Members of the public are also urged not to buy land from individuals who are invading land.
Enquiries:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
