Land claim off to court

STEPS are being taken to minimise the impact of the massive land claims affecting several suburbs in the greater Centurion region. The claim affects developed and densely populated areas such as The Reeds, Rooihuiskraal, Olievenhoutbosch, Zwartkop and Heuweloord.

It was lodged with the Land Claims Commission by Kleinboy Mahlangu in 1998 on behalf of 38 beneficiaries. Mahlangu is the son of a farmworker who used to work in the area in the 1960s.

The claim states Mahlangu’s father was forcefully removed from the area and never provided with an alternative place. The multimillion-rand land claim for the 4000 hectares of residential area in the Centurion region is facing a legal challenge from civil rights group AfriForum. It said it would take up the matter with the Land Claims Court on the grounds that it threatened the rights of property ownership by individuals.

On Tuesday, AfriForum questioned the credibility of the report by the Land Claims Commission following its research into the claim.

It intended to employ experts such as historians to undertake research into information related to the claim, it said. The claim was apparently gazetted in June 29 last year, sparking fears among residents about their properties.

At a briefing in Centurion yesterday, AfriForum head of community safety Ian Cameron said the claim could hurt property values.

Cameron said: “AfriForum already has the resources to take immediate action against this claim. We want to ensure our members and the affected community that attacks on their property will not pass unobserved.

The organisation will hold a community meeting on February 19 at Leriba Lodge to address affected residents on the facts, its action plan and what has already been done. The public has been given until February 23 to make submissions to the commission regarding the claim.