Newsletter 134 - KwaZulu-Natal tops settled land claims list
This newsletter gives an outline of the progress in land restitution claims between 1994/95 and 2008/09. Some beneficiaries received financial compensation instead of land and KwaZulu-Natal led in both land settlements and financial compensation. Gauteng and the Western Cape saw the least amount of land transferred.
More land was transferred through restitution in KwaZulu-Natal between 1994/95 and 2008/09 than in any other province, according to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. KwaZulu-Natal also tops the list in financial compensation paid to beneficiaries. Land restitution entails giving back land or offering financial compensation to those dispossessed by apartheid legislation.
KwaZulu-Natal transferred more than 642 000 hectares (24.5% of land claims settled countrywide) at a cost of R3.8 billion. In addition, R1.34 billion was paid to beneficiaries who opted for money instead of land.
The Northern Cape came second with almost 540 000 hectares (20.6% of settled land claims) at a cost of R410 million. In addition, R661 million was paid to beneficiaries in lieu of land.
Limpopo followed with about 513 000 hectares (19.5%) at a cost of R2.5 billion. Some R152 million was paid in lieu of land.
Mpumalanga transferred just under 401 000 hectares (15.2%) at a cost of R3.8 billion. In addition, R362 million was paid in place of land.
The North West had 374 000 hectares (14.2%) transferred at a cost of R1.2 billion. Additionally, R255 million was paid in lieu of land.
The Eastern Cape transferred 95 000 hectares (3.6%) at a cost of over R218 million. Moreover, R1.3 billion was paid as a substitute for land.
The Free State transferred about 48 000 hectares (1.8%) of national land claims at a cost of over R9.4 million. Also, R131 million was paid as a replacement.
Gauteng had about 9 500 hectares (0.4%) transferred at a cost of R117 million. Additionally, over R635 million was paid in lieu of land.
Lastly, the Western Cape transferred 3 800 hectares (0.1%) at a cost of over R22.7 million. Also, R824 million was paid as an alternative.
In total, 2.6 million hectares of land were transferred to restitution beneficiaries, at a total cost of R12.1 billion and an average cost of R4 619 per hectare. Financial compensation amounted to just under R5.7 billion.
- Thuthukani Ndebele
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