New bill aims to move land from traditional leaders to the people
But traditional leaders, including King Goodwill Zwelithini, say attempts to disband land trusts will result in a ‘bloodbath’
The Draft Communal Land Tenure Bill, which will be processed in Parliament shortly, will ensure that the land under the custodianship of traditional leaders belongs to the people, Deputy President David Mabuza said on Tuesday. Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Mabuza said in terms of customs, land under traditional leadership was, in fact, owned by the people. "[However], there are conflicting views [with some saying the land belongs to traditional leaders] … therefore, the government is seeking to address this issue in a way that brings certainty. The Communal Land Tenure Bill will ensure that." The bill, which was out for public comment until late in 2017, in the main provides for the transfer of communal land to communities; for conversion into ownership of land rights in communal land to communities that own or occupy such land; and for the transfer of ownership to communities and community members of land acquired by the state to enable access to land on an equi...
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