Johannesburg - Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says work is under way to expropriate land in Marikana, North West, from owners unwilling to sell to the government.
The North West government confirmed the process. It said it sought to expropriate with compensation, which it insisted was possible within the current sets of legislation.
Sisulu blamed the delay of housing development, in the mining community flooded with shacks, on land owners dragging their feet in selling and charging exorbitant amounts.
The North West provincial Department of Human Settlements sought to purchase suitable land through the Housing Development Agency (HDA).
Sisulu said some land was secured, but not the rest of the land needed for township establishment.
“Regrettably, after the HDA completed its valuations of some land parcels with a potential for Human Settlements development, some of the private land owners became reluctant to sell, while others are charging exorbitant amounts for identified portions of land,” Sisulu said.
“It is for this reason that the provincial department has approved the expropriation process, which is currently under way.”
Sisulu replied to a written question in the National Assembly. The EFF’s Primrose Sonti asked her what steps had her department taken since May 2019 to ensure there was sufficient housing for the residents of Marikana.
“The process of township establishment is currently being undertaken for those portions of land acquired through the HDA,” she added.
“The target is to complete the planning phase for these land portions and the expropriation process by March 2022.”
The work proceeded before the finalisation of the Expropriation Bill, which would allow the state to expropriate without compensation in the public’s interest.
Charles Matlou, spokesperson for North West Human Settlements, told The Star they were working within the unamended legislation to expropriate.
“Land is being expropriated with compensation, in terms of the Expropriation Act read with the Housing Act. Therefore, the expropriation is not being undertaken in terms of the Expropriation Bill,” Matlou said.
He would not reveal the owners’ asking prices and what the government was prepared to fork out.
“Noting that the expropriation processes are still under way, disclosure of this sensitive information at this stage may prejudice the parties, as there is always potential for litigation in such matters,” Matlou said.
Sonti told The Star she would not hold her breath that the North West actually had a process to expropriate land.
“I don’t know about this because there have been so many promises to people before. I take it for a fictitious story that they’ll expropriate the land,” said Sonti.
Marikana desperately needed proper housing, making promises that may not be fulfilled painful, she said.
“People in Marikana stay in shacks, and because they don’t have electricity, they resort to illegal connections.
“They die because of these illegal connections. I’m telling you, they die in numbers,” said Sonti.
The Star