The North West Rural Development says a commissioner will be appointed to facilitate the return of land to the community of Doornlaagte currently residing in the Tswaing Local Municipality.
The Provincial Legislature’s Committee on Local Government on Tuesday convened a meeting of stakeholders after being inundated with pleas from frustrated residents.
A leader of the disgruntled community, Phefo Mosinki claims that they have been approaching various government institutions seeking restoration of the land.
“We have been going to the government showing them proof from the British government that the land belongs to us. But we have been sent from pillar to post. We are not updated on the developments, we are just left in the dark. I acknowledge that we previously had a meeting with this committee and the department but that was the last time we engaged until today,” Mosinki said.
A representative of the provincial Land Reform Department Batlang Lekalake, said the matter is now in the hands of the national government.
“We are just waiting for the commissioner to be appointed. But I don’t have details of when the appointment will happen. All that I know is that the submission is already made at the national department for the commissioner to be appointed,” Lekalake said.
The chairperson for the Provincial Legislature’s Committee on local government, Aaron Motswana ordered the department to update the residents on the progress made on the compensations of their ancestral land.
“The Department of Rural Development has been directed to convene a meeting, where they will brief the community of Doornlaagte on progress in appointing the commissioner to investigate the ancestral lineage of the beneficiaries. They must also convene a workshop to educate the community about the title deed adjustment processes,” Motswana said.
More than 80 families are hoping to benefit from the restitution of the ancestral land in Doornlaagte.
