WeeklySA_Adminsolution:Authorities offer another piece of land to clan to resolve the dispute
By Boitumelo Tshehle
The Banogeng clan in the North West have complained that they have been robbed of their forefathers’ land and haved blamed the local government for it. This after the provincial department of agriculture, land reform and rural development returned the agricultural land to the clan after a claim, but, instead of them occupying the land, another set of farm labourers flocked on to it first.
Now these beneficiaries wanted government to give them back their land as they were living in abject poverty.
One of the beneficiaries, Johannes Machwisa, said he had to find an old dilapidated farm house to use as his home.
He is one of the 101 people who could have been generating income from the Klipfontein farm they reclaimed three years ago.
He said he had hoped that the restoration of the land would make him live a better life.
“Our dignity has not been restored. This farm generates a lot of money under our names but we are not benefitting. We are like strangers in our own farm,” he said.
After the farm was bought from the previous farmer, the new farm owner evicted Machwisa and his clan and demolished their houses. Machwisa said he then ran and hid in an old farm house that was left unattended.
That was how he remained behind at the farm while other farm labourers went to a squatter camp and erected shacks.
He plants a small portion of fruits and vegetables so that they can make ends meet.
“Hunger is something that we are used to, but at least I use my hand to plant fruits and vegetables during good seasons,” he said.
North West department of Land reform’s project coordinator Kgomotso Mompati said they were in a process of getting another piece of land for Machwisa and other beneficiaries.
“The reason why the land was given to the current beneficiaries was that they were the farm labourers that came with the second farm owner. By law they also deserve that land as per Esta law.
He said after getting another farm for Johannes and his clan, they can then swap the people who are currently occupying the land meant for Johannes and his clan and give them back their original land.
