Our mandate of restitution is to have the rightful land claimants occupying the land with full proof of documentation including the title deed. As the Department we are committed and we would like to reiterate our unwavering commitment to restore and settle all outstanding restitution claims.
This will be done in accordance with the constitution of our country. The land restitution programme, which is implemented in line with the Restitution of Land Rights Act (Act 22 of 1994), is a key initiative which is contributing towards reconciliation and nation building. As the Department we will continue to align ourselves with both the restitution Act and the Constitution in executing our land Reform mandate.
We have been involved in a legal battle with people who were defrauding unsuspecting and desperate community members to the tune of R4 Million by selling land illegally to them. Community members were conned into buying portions of land without any receipts as proof of their purchase.
These people have been occupying Wallmannsthsdal Farm which is roughly 50 km outside Pretoria. On the 02 February 2012, The North Gauteng High court (Pretoria) granted an eviction order for the eviction of these illegal occupants of Wallmannthsdal farm.
According to the High court ruling, all the illegal occupants on the farm were supposed to voluntarily vacate the farm in the next 15 days from the date of the ruling (2 February 2012) failing which the Sheriff and SAPS will be instructed to remove them, but these people did not heed the instruction of the court to vacate the Land.
Subsequent to this, on the 04 April 2012, the same court (The North Gauteng High Court) struck from the roll the illegal squatter’s leave to appeal their eviction following a no-show by the squatters. On the 07 June 2012, the sheriff placed a notice on the farm calling upon the squatters to vacate the farm but they did not abide by this instruction.
The Minister in his last budget vote to the Parliament made a humble plea to all South Africans not to occupy land illegally as in a case such as this, it is often done at the expense of families who have made legitimate claims. As the department we would therefore like to reiterate that the illegal selling of any state land as well as the illegal occupation of state land is a punishable criminal offence and unfortunately the department shall not be responsible to compensate anyone for the money they have lost.
We would like to make a clarion call to millions of South Africans out there that, acquiring of any land legally, should be accompanied by a title deed. Yesterday and today the Sheriff is executing the court order by evicting the illegal occupants of Wallmannsdal farm and as the department we will cooperate with this process.
Enquiries:
Mphati Sehloho
Tel 012 312 8112
Cell: 083 977 4040
Wallmanthsdal illegal occupants evicted
