The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thabo Mokone, to increase successful finalisation of land claims, specifically when dealing with Communal Property Associations (CPA’s).
This follows the presentation made by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights to the Agriculture and Land Reform portfolio committee late last week.
The status of Limpopo land restitution claims paints a bleak picture:
5916 claims registered;
1304 remains outstanding and 601 of these claims are from the Sekhukhune district; and
119 outstanding research documentation.
To date 972 260.2823 hectares has been transferred at a cost of R4 543 719 766.16 with R3 436 653 712.76 being transferred to claimants opting for financial compensation.
The Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which allowed for the reopening of land claims in 2014, was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court on 28 July 2016.
This resulted that 16121 land claims were stopped.
Community conflicts over the control of land and the lack of cooperation between departments to finalise claims resulted in only 67% of the annual budget being utilised.
It is clear that the ANC government is dragging its feet to finalise claims. Cases disputed in court take on average 5 to 15 years to complete.
The DA supports a land reform process that achieves redress in rural communities, that promotes economic inclusion and supports growth and prosperity in the agricultural sector.
Redress for communities for their dispossessed land is long overdue, and with an annual budget of R700 million and 1304 outstanding claims, it is estimated that the government will finalise the first round of claims within 12 years. This is not good enough.
