Land claims can be settled by the Land Claims Commission without ministerial approval in order to speed up the restitution process, the commission said on Tuesday.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana has delegated her powers to the chief land claims commissioner and regional land claims commissioners.
This would enable the land commission to fast-track the finalisation of outstanding claims, said chief commissioner
Thozamile Gwanya in a statement.
Land claims of up to R100-million would go through Gwanya’s office while claims of up to R50-million would be approved by
regional commissioners.
”The commission commits itself that this delegation of power shall be exercised within a clearly defined policy framework, and control measures have been put in place to guard against misuse of these powers,” Gwanya said.
The commissioners would report monthly to the minister on all approved claims.
The number of claims settled under the new powers in October and November is 701, involving 193 819ha for 20 624 households.
Development support worth R108-million had been approved for claimants who chose the return of land.
The minister would still approve land claims valued higher than R100-million.
All expropriation cases would also be approved by her. — Sapa