Committee on Agriculture says communities must benefit on Land Restitution
On Friday, 21 November 2014, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment urged the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to ensure that land claimed under The Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act is benefiting communities at large.
This came after the Committee held a meeting with the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights under the department which is mandated to solicit land claims received, investigate and resolving them under negotiation and mediation processes.
The Deputy Director at the Commission, Mr Richard Sebolai said the act was amended to allow those who missed the initial deadline from 1995 to 1998 to lodge claims.
“The government reopened land claims processes from 1July 2014 until 30 June 2019. The Commission is also conducting outreach programmes to educate communities about the process and required documentation. We have also opened new offices in four districts of the province,” said Sebolai.
In the North West province, a total of 2 451 claims were lodged, 2236 claims settled and 215 are outstanding. A total settlement of R2,6 billion was spent on financial compensations and land purchases for beneficiaries. A total of 887 new land claims have been lodged since the amendment of the Act.
Acting Committee Chairperson, Hon. Gordon Kegakilwe said government must ensure that there are no conflicts between tribal authorities and communal property associations during the processes of land claims.
“Restitution of land must not benefit certain individuals in communities but the societies at large. Government should also assist communities with skills development, mentoring programmes and farming equipment where claimed land was used on agricultural purposes,” said Kegakilwe.
For more information contact:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
