STATEMENT BY MR DEREK HANEKOM MP, MINISTER OF LAND AFFAIRS: DISCUSSIONS WITH BAFOKENG TRIBE

I and officials from my Department today held discussions with representatives of the Bafokeng tribe. The points under discussion were the following.

• the registration of land in the name of the Bafokeng tribe;
• the acquisition of neighbouring state land in the Bafokeng district; and
• the imposition of a moratorium on the sale or disposal of such state land.

It is Government's policy to confer ownership of land to the owners of such land. Furthermore, I as trustee would like to see that the rights of individuals living in that area are respected. Ownership of the land should therefore vest in the name of the tribe, in line with all relevant Constitutional provisions in this regard.

It was agreed that a thorough investigation would be jointly done by the tribe and my Department as a matter of priority, and that the results of this investigation be submitted to me in writing. There is a lot of work to be done in order to determine the tribal structure and to ensure, for example, that adequate protection is built ineguard the rights of all individuals of the tribe, and especially those rights of women.

In the interim, a moratorium will be placed on the alienation of all state land adjacent and surrounding the land of the Bafokeng, until state land is identified for acquisition by the tribe.

The Department of Land Affairs and the Bafokeng tribe has resolved to work hand in hand to resolve the outstanding issues and to transfer title into the hands of the tribe as a matter of urgency.

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF LAND AFFAIRS, 26 OCTOBER 1995