Secunda: Deputy President Paul Mashatile will hand over land and title deeds to the Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family, also known as the Schulk Marhiqa Communal Property Association (CPA) in Mpumalanga, on Friday. The Mtshoeni/Mtsweni family land claim comprises 18 households and 86 beneficiaries.
According to South African Government News Agency, the claimant family lived on the subject properties in the early 1700s. The land parcels claimed by the family measure more than 627 hectares, situated within the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality's jurisdiction. The claim was lodged before the old order claims cut-off date of 31 December 1998, as set out in the Restitution of Land Rights Act, by Schulk Ngazimbi Marhiqa Mtshoeni on behalf of the affected families.
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) has been pivotal in South Africa's transformation journey, focusing on restoring dignity through land restitution. The Presidency emphasized that every restored hectare, handed-over title deed, and resolved claim represents a step towards justice, showcasing the government's commitment to addressing historical grievances.
The Presidency further highlighted that the commission's work demonstrates that land restitution transcends compensation, aiming to restore identity, belonging, and opportunity to the beneficiary communities. The title deeds will be issued to the family claimants for the two Grootvlei 293 IS Farm properties, divided into Portion 24 and 26. These properties are owned by the land claimants through the Schulk Marhiqa CPA.
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, will accompany the Deputy President to Secunda in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District, in Mpumalanga Province.