Land claim still ignored

I LODGED a land claim in Durban North in 1992 with the National Party, which was subsequently government gazetted.

My claimed land was leased to a businessman by the eThekwini Municipality for over 20 years, and my claim was ignored.

Last February, I noticed an incomplete factory on the land I had lodged a claim for. There has been silence from the eThekwini Municipality real estate director, Thapelo Mmusinyane, and the Land Claims Commission, in Pietermaritzburg, for over a year.

How have they allowed this construction under their watch?

In June last year, for the first time, the Land Claims Commission came to view the land. In July, independent valuators were sent to us to view the said properties. It has been nine months now, and there has been no response on what the properties are valued at – current or historic.

Another Durban North resident, who lodged his land claim one year after I did, was handed his land by the Minister of Rural Development and Land, Thoko Didiza. I am happy for this person, but why have I been sidelined?

ROBIN NAIDOO Chairperson: Indian Land Claimants Association

Phoenix