SA probes foreign land ownership
Nombini Matomela
31 August 2004
Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza has announced a nine-member panel of experts to investigate foreign land ownership in the country.
The panel, headed by political analyst Shadrack Gutto, also includes former safety and security minister Joe Mathews, Danisa Baloyi, Leah Gcabashe, Fred Hendricks, Mandla Mabuza, Christine Qunta, Cecil Morden and Dirk Kotze.
The government has established the panel to investigate how foreign land ownership affects land reform and property prices in South Africa.
The committee will be supported by a technical team led by Jeff Sebape and Sunday Ogunrobi from the Department of Land Affairs and including representatives from the departments of housing and public works, the National Treasury, and provincial and local government.
Didiza said the committee is expected to present its first report to her in January next year. She said the analysis would give the government the nature,
extended trends and impact of the use, acquisition of and investment in South African land by foreigners.
The panel will also consider international practices on the issue of land ownership by foreigners and recommend options most suitable to South Africa.
The panel will also assist the Department of Land Affairs with consultations and submissions from the public. "We have already been approached by the South African Properties Association, which includes a number of estate agencies who want to engage with the committee on their views", Didiza said.
She extended an invitation to other stakeholders to give their input. "We also want to understand what the various groupings are saying on this matter, which has been in the public discourse for some time", the minister said.
Source: BuaNews
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