R100m for land claimants
Thapelo Sakoana
30 July 2004
About seven communities in the North West stand to benefit from a R100-million settlement from the government's land restitution programme for properties they were dispossessed of in the apartheid past.
The Department of Land Affairs has approved about R100-million as a final settlement for properties in Vryburg, Mafikeng, Schweizer-Reineke, Ventersdorp, Klerksdorp and Lichtenburg.
North West Premier Edna Molewa signed a settlement agreement with the Chairpersons of Claimants Committees in Mafikeng on Friday.
Media Liaison Officer in the Premier's office Russel Mamabolo said it was hoped the recipients would use the compensation to develop their communities.
"We hope the recipients will go a step further in ensuring development in their communities," said Mamabolo.
About 54 claims were lodged for 60 properties in Vryburg and claimants will be compensated based on a sliding scale formula due to varying sizes of
properties.
"One claim (out of the 54) was dismissed with five being duplicates and R6.8-million was approved," said a statement released by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.
The statement said the compensation would benefit about 348 people and 63 households, 17 of which are headed by women.
For Klerksdorp, about 82 claims were lodged for 6 000 beneficiaries and 866 households, 205 of which are also headed by women.
"The total award (for the Klerksdorp claim) is R5.5-million at a standard settlement offer of R60 000 per claimed property," said the statement.
About 39 claims for properties of Schweizer-Reneke were received and the compensation is R2.1-million at R60 000 per claimed property.
"About 78 beneficiaries of 47 households with 18 being female headed will each get a share from the award," said the statement.
About R8.6-million was approved for 135 claims lodged in respect of Lichtenburg to benefit 819 individuals and 136
households.
For Mafikeng, about 123 claims were lodged for 112 properties to benefit 279 beneficiaries and about R12.2-million will be awarded in this regard.
About R3.9-million was approved for 65 claimed properties in Ventersdorp benefiting 350 people, and 268 households.
Source: BuaNews
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