Issued by: SA Communication Service
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE REGIONAL LAND CLAIMS COMMISSIONER FOR KWAZULU-NATAL ON AN AGREEMENT REACHED REGARDING THE SABOKWE LAND CLAIM
The second finalised claim for restitution of land rights in KwaZulu-Natal is expected to be submitted to the Land Claims Court in the near future.
In a statement issued today by the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Cherryl Walker, it was announced that the restitution claim by the Sabokwe people of Richards Bay was finalised on Thursday, 17 October 1996, when an agreement between the claimants and the Department of Land Affairs was signed in Richards Bay.
The agreement, reached after protracted negotiations under the auspices of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, provides for alternative land to be made available to those members of the community who were dispossessed of their land rights in a former enclave of Reserve 4 when Richards Bay was established. The alternative land, which was made available by an agreement between the Department of Land Affairs and the South African Forestry Corporation (SAFCOL), is adjacent to the existing Reserve 4 where the remainder of the Mbonambi people live.
The deed of settlement was signed by Nkosi Mbuyazi on behalf of the Sabokwe people and Mr Nico van Rensburg, Director: Land Reform Settlement of the Department of Land Affairs. It was witnessed by the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal. A representative of Safcol, Mr Raath, and Mr Peter Rutsch, the claimants' lawyer, also attended the signing ceremony.
Altogether 580 families are involved in the claim, and plans are already proceeding with development consultants to plan development and settlement of the area. State grants have already been approved in principle by the Department of Land Affairs.
Ms Walker expressed her satisfaction with the amicable settlement of a complicated land claim that also affected other peoples and communities in the area. A report is being prepared for submission to the Land Claims Court that must ratify all agreements of this nature.
This deed of settlement follows closely on the first land claim handled by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights to be ratified by the Land Claims Court when the Elandskloof claim in the Western Cape was finalised on 15 October 1995 at a special sitting of the Court held in Citrusdal.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE REGIONAL LAND CLAIMS COMMISSIONER FOR KWAZULU-NATAL.
PIETERMARITZBURG 21 OCTOBER 1996
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Ms Cherryl Walker 0331 426955 Thys Human 012 341 7900 Cell: 0825598597.