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Commission 'claims back' two farms

27 May 2006

The Land Claims Commission in the North West have obtained a court interdict against two tribal chiefs who have allegedly caused the dereliction of two farms worth close to R40 million.

According to Mr Blessing Mphela, Land Claims Commissioner for the North West, one seedling farm of 11 000 ha near Putfontein with "excellent maize land" were acquired in 1999 for R21 million. "Since that time, nothing has been produced on that land," he said.

In another case, in December the commission had taken back a farm of 15 000 ha, consisting of ten portions which are partially irrigated, and appointed a manager. The manager now manages the farm on behalf of the new owners. The land was transferred in 2002 after the government had paid R18 million for it.

According to Mphela, both cases were marked by disputes between the chief and the communal land ownership association, a body established by law for taking decisions on managing the community's interests. According to him this is a "classic example" of uncertainty regarding the role each group is meant to fulfil. In the Putfontein case, the chieftain apparently "pocketed money" and "continuously took unilateral decisions without respecting the community".

These cases now come to light after the government have had to take back farms in Limpopo as well, after disputes between owners have caused production on commercial farms to grind to a halt. More than 70 farms have been taken back in this regard. The farms worth more than R100 million were transferred in terms of the government's land redistribution scheme for agricultural purposes.

For more information on agricultural property matters, visit www.agritv.co.za.

Article courtesy of Landbouweekblad.

Commission 'claims back' two farms

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