Land claim swindlers warned

Gugile Nkwinti. Image: GCIS

"As the department, we want to put on record that application forms for lodging claims, together with the citizens' manual, are distributed free of charge to South Africans.

"Communities and individuals, who failed to lodge land claims before the 1998 cut-off date, are encouraged to be careful about these individuals and should be ready for the next window of opportunity," said ministerial spokesperson Mtobeli Mxotwa.

In 2010 and 2011, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti conducted a series of workshops with land reform beneficiaries, in order to determine the impact of the land reform programme on the lives of rural people.

During the workshops, beneficiaries said that a lot of people affected by land dispossessions were left out of the claims process, while land sector NGOs said most of the affected communities were unaware of the 1998 cut-off date.

After the consultative workshops, Nkwinti approached Cabinet, asking for a chance to re-open of land claims.

The re-opening will take place against the backdrop of South Africa marking 100 years of 1913 Natives' Land Act, which was promulgated on June 1913.

The second window will cater for those who missed out on the 1998 cut-off date. It will examine exceptions to the 1913 cut-off date for heritage sites, historical land marks and for the descendants of Khoi and San communities.

The process will start soon after President Jacob Zuma signs the Restitution Amendment Act into law.