By Celani Sikhakhane
Inkosi Russell Cebekhulu has appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to stop officials from the land reform and rural development department from stealing land that communities have successfully claimed.
Cebekhulu, an IFP MP and traditional leader of his clan in KwaZulu-Natal, made the appeal during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday.
“The land restitution [legislation] was drafted very well. But the problem here is that after the land was successfully claimed, the officials of the department decide to divide that farm into bits and pieces,” Cebekhulu said.
“They then take a portion of the farm and give it to their friends, whereas the claim belongs to the communities. We call upon you, Mr President, to intervene in this corruption.”
His request comes after several protests over the theft of land in KZN.
People have accused senior officials of the Land Commission of taking land that should belong to the communities.
The areas most affected include Dundee, Vryheid, and Greytown.
Land corruption is also a problem in the Western Cape.
In 2010, many complaints were made against the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.
People said there were long delays, lost documents, and harassment by commission staff.
Many of the claimants, especially those of Khoisan origin, felt the land restitution process was corrupt and that they were being discriminated against.
The commission’s chairperson promised at the time that it would investigate all complaints.
Pictured above: Inkosi Russell Cebekhulu of the IFP appeals to President Cyril Ramaphosa to stop corrupt government officials from stealing farms from land claimants.
Source: X
