23 April 2009
The Director-General of Land Affairs, Mr Thozi Gwanya together with Regional
Land Claims Commissioner, Ms Linda Faleni will be handing land back to the
Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Uniting Reformed Church in the Buffalo
City municipal area in East London on 25 and 26 April 2009 respectively.
The Director-General will hand back a total of 7 110 square metres of land,
which was purchased for the claimant at the total value of R546 600.00. The
Commission on Restitution of Land Rights will be handing over a title deed and
financial redress to about 500 congregants who were forcefully removed from
their land during the apartheid regime.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Uniting Reformed Church are two
churches that opted for alternative land as a form of redress, out of the 23
churches that lodged claims with the commission. It is worthy to note that the
commission in conjunction with the Buffalo City Municipality worked tirelessly
to ensure that the 7 110 square metres of land is given back to the East Bank
Churches.
The land restoration marks a symbolic and a significant milestone for the
churches as it not only gives back land rights to the congregants but shows the
commissionâs commitment to making societies and communities functional in all
respects.
The Acting Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Mr Blessing Mphela and Buffalo
City Mayor, Ms Zukiswa Faku-Hobana are some of the dignitaries expected to
grace the event.
Enquiries:
Ncumisa Sikunyana
Tel: 043 700 6053
Cell: 079 897 7790
Linda Faleni
Tel: 043 700 6002
Cell: 082 419 5296
Issued by: Department of Land Affairs
23 April 2009
