Minister Nkoana-Mashabane handed over title deeds to Roka Lebea Tribe in Limpopo
The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane today handed over the title deed for the land of the Roka Lebea Tribe in Ga-Seroka village near Jane Furse in the Sekhukhune district municipality.
Talking to the community, the minister said land is an economic asset and therefore through rural development and land reform programs the process of returning land to its rightful owners will be fast tracked in order to advance the socio economic development agenda.
“We are today for the first time in the history of our democracy, 24 years later officiating a ceremony to hand over title deeds to a tribal authority whose land was not taken away but who were denied title to the land, due to past laws and racially discriminatory policies”, the minister stated.
“Let this titled deed bring dignity and economic opportunity to you. The work of the CPA is not to wait for the next election but to find economic opportunity for the community. You are here to find solution for the community” said the Minister.
The Minister said 7 374 claims were lodged in Limpopo before the 1998 cut off date. The The progress of thet claims lodged before the 1998 deadline reflect that 5 290 were settled in the province 218 were phased claims that involved more than one land owner and 1 866 are outstanding.
Minister Nkoana- Mashabane, also reassured the communities whose claims are still outstanding that the commission is working hard to finalize such claims. She added that the Department is committed to developing the 50 hectares of the Roka Lebea land for agricultural purposes.
Besides the agricultural project, the department will refurbish the ablution facilities for the learners attending the local high school and refurbish all the five community boreholes,.
The claim was lodged of behalf of community by Ms. Seroka Tlakale Monica the 23rd of November 1998 with the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights consisting of 387 households.
The land under claim is the farm Dingaanskop 543 KS, situated in Fetakgomo Local Municipality in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province. The land is currently used for residential and farming purposes by the Roka Lebea Tribe. Roka Lebea Tribe occupied the farm Dingaanskop 543 KS since 1800 to date. The Tribe was never physical removed from the claimed property. They are still enjoying their occupational and customary rights on the land.
The claimants have the informal unregistered rights on the land due to the fact that section 11 of the Native Trust and Land Act of 1936 (Act No.18 of 1936) forbade any ownership or land purchase by Natives.
The main objective for Roka Lebea Tribe to lodge the land claim was to have formal rights in the form of title deed since the past apartheid legislation prohibited them to have such. The farm Dingaanskop 543 KS was a State owned property held in trust by the Government of Lebowa. The property was later vested nationally by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform released the property through its Restitution Program. The claimed property is currently to Roka Lebea Communal Property Association (CPA).
Enquiries:
Linda Page
Tel: 012 312 8502
Cell: 083 4604 482 or 071 334 3479
E-mail: Linda.Page@drdlr.gov.za
