Parliament notes challenges affecting land restitution

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Parliament's portfolio committee on Rural Development and Land Reform says it has noted a hard-hitting report by the SA Human Rights Commission on systemic challenges affecting the land restitution process.

In a brief statement, the Committee said that one of the challenges of the process is the backlog in claims lodged prior to December 31st 1998 and the lack of capacity to settle claims timeously.

The portolio committee says delays in processing land claims are worrying, but it says the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights has plans to settle all backlogs and outstanding claims.

Committee chairperson, Phumzile Ngwenya-Mabila, says in terms of the amendments to the Restitution of Land Rights Act, all land claims must be prioritised.