/ 22 November 2006

Dept of land affairs faces leadership ‘challenges’

Leadership and management ”challenges” have led to problems in her department, Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana said on Wednesday.

The problems include the implementation of land-reform and restitution programmes, the administration of state land, land audits and human resource management, Xingwana said in a statement.

Capacity constraints are also affecting the ability to deliver and there is a lack of personnel to manage leases and plans at provincial level.

There are currently 1 000 vacancies in the department and only about a third of state land has been audited to date.

Xingwana said these issues came out after consultation with senior management in the department.

”With the challenges in the Deeds Office, which we are currently addressing, including an intervention to stop a possible strike action, all these demonstrate the nature of the challenges the department faces.”

She said the Public Service Commission will investigate matters that require intervention and will report back on what can be done to correct the problems faced.

”On the basis of a report by the Public Service Commission, we will determine the necessary intervention to ensure that the department fulfils its mandate,” Xingwana said. — Sapa