The first farmland-expropriation exercise by the government, to be effective on March 15, was overshadowed by ”outstanding issues” among claimants of the Pniel farm in the Northern Cape.
The land will now first be kept in curatorship by the state before it will be handed to the claimants, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights said on Saturday.
Limpopo land claims commissioner Mashile Mokono told the Pniel community at a meeting that the land had been registered in the state’s name on January 26 and ”interim arrangements” regarding the management of the farm would be introduced.
”This land we have taken is actually land in transit, land that’s on it’s way to you,” he said to loud applause.
However, the handing over of the farm was pending the finalisation of ”all the outstanding issues” around the community
property association (CPA), which represented the claimants.
”We have a responsibility to set up a structure to help you,” Mokono said.
The state has filed papers in court to take over the responsibilities of the CPA.
This came after the commission had received various complaints with regards to the CPA from the community, Mokono said.
The CPA is contesting the matter in the Kimberley High Court, which will hear argument on March 26.
No further details were provided as the matter was sub judice.
According to Makono, other aspects that will have to be put in place are the finalisation of the claimant verification process as well as the future land-use plans for the farm.
The state on March 15 will take physical possession of the farm, which will be run on behalf of the state and the claimants by an agricultural management company in the meantime.
The farm was previously owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa.
The property was expropriated by Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act after negotiations between the state and the church failed. — Sapa