Democratic Alliance statement by
Bosman Grobler MPL
DA Spokesperson on Economic Development and Tourism
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency hijacked a legitimate land claim
28 April 2016
Release: immediate
Note to editors: The following member statement was delivered by DA Spokesperson on Economic Development and Tourism , Bosman Grobler MPL, during a legislature sitting today.
Honourable Speaker.
I rise to deliver a member statement on behalf of the Democratic Alliance of Mpumalanga, noting that:
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency has hijacked a legitimate land claim. 10 years ago, the Commission on Restitution of Land rights in Limpopo validated the Mnisi Clan’s land claim on the Manyeleti Nature Reserve.
Due to a change in provincial boundaries, the claim was moved over to the Mpumalanga Commission to complete the transfer as Limpopo had already validated the claim.
When it was time to transfer the land to the Manyeleti Claimants Trust, another concerned group opposing the claim suddenly appeared, and Mpumalanga commissioned a new verification process. According to Johan Ndlovu, the Chairperson of the trust, the concerned groups claim to the land was discussed and an amicable decision was taken, to the benefit of the trust and the concerned group.
The trust now finds itself in a situation where they have a valid land claim, but government is seemingly delaying transferring the land to the trust.
This behaviour further concerns the DA when one considers that 3 concessionaires are currently paying MTPA R924 000.00 a year to operate on the land, and the trust has not seen a cent of this money.
Further to that, R45 million had been allocated to the upkeep and upgrade of Manyeleti Nature Reserve, and the trust has not been consulted on how this money will be spent. Instead, MTPA along with the reserve manager of Manyeleti have begun hiring people to do work, and none of them are from the trust. Odd enough 108 people were hired from the concerned group, and 157 were labour brokered by ANC councillors in Bushbuckridge ward 33 and ward 34.
As such, the DA calls on the MEC of Economic Development and Tourism Hon. Eric Kholwane to;
• Urgently intervene in this situation and ensure that the land is transferred to its rightful owners, and
• Probe the intentions behind allowing ANC councillors to give out these jobs in their wards, as the DA views this as an unethical vote buying exercise.
I thank you.
Media enquiries:
Bosman Grobler MPL
DA Spokesperson on Economic Development and Tourism
083 697 0747