DA leader, Mmusi Maimane has threatened to take legal action against the Land Reform Department on behalf of the Eastern Cape based Gwatyu Communal Property Association if the land debacle between the community and the department is not resolved.
Maimane and people of Gwatyu allege that the government is denying residents land which they’ve been occupying for generations.
Maimane led a picket at the department’s offices in East London.
WATCH: Leader @MmusiMaimane explains to the officials from the Dep of Rural Development and Land Reform that there is no need for a constitutional amendment!
“What is crucial especially in rural communities is that land must be used by the people so that they can be prosperous.” pic.twitter.com/ThqqYIAhaK
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 25, 2019
“The registration of the Gwatyu as a Communal Property Association must be done.
I’m struggling to understand what the delay is.” – @MmusiMaimane
Leader submits the memorandum of demands to the Dep of Rural Development and Land Reform officials. pic.twitter.com/m21fIIEKT6
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 25, 2019
The Gwatyu CPA represents close to 2000 people. The land comprises of 88 farms that were owned by the former Transkei government.
After the former homelands were incorporated into South Africa, the lines became blurred as to whom the land belonged to.
The DA has taken up the fight. Maimane says that if they do not get a response from the department, they’ll take government to coiurt. He further says that it is the citizens’ right to own land and that is why the DA is taking on this fight.
People of Gwatyu say they are pinning their hopes on the DA’s intervention. One resident says that their attempts to get help from the government have produced no fruits. She says their hopes now lie with the DA.
WATCH: Mama speaks about the struggle to receive the land from the ANC govt!
“The Dep of Rural Development is taking us for granted, we went to Cape Town twice & sacrificed our grant money to visit Minister Gugile Nkwinti who lied to us & said he will deal with this issue.” pic.twitter.com/XPPzvnsrnE
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 25, 2019
Authorities say the matter will be handled. Maimane has given the department seven days to come with a response on the issue.
We are tired of listening to lies, the ANC government has been lying to the people of Gwatyu saying they are coming.
It’s been now many years and still no one has come to visit the community to address this land issue.
SAns are tired of lies & broken promises from the ANC. pic.twitter.com/sQDeVY4ddO
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 25, 2019
