A historic event of signing agreement of Deeds donation of land took place in Ermelo on the 17th April 2019.
The MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs Vusi Shongwe in conjunction with MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Speed Mashilo presided over the ceremony to hand over the pieces of land located in Chief Albert Luthuli, Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities totaling about 4905, 1256 and 159 hectares respectively.
The land was previously administered by the defunct KaNgwane and KwaNdebele homelands. The handover process marks a new era of service delivery in which municipalities will now provide title deeds for ownership to households located in the donated land.
MEC Shongwe says matters of land are on top of the agenda in the country and therefore this comes at the right time. He added that the Department has taken a decision to release the land professionally and in an organized manner. “People need to be educated that grabbing and invasion of land is discouraged at all material costs” he alluded.
MEC Mashilo says the process will assist in formalizing townships and subsequently allow the Department of Human Settlements to issue title deeds to beneficiaries. He further stated that Municipalities will be able to collect property rates.
Ends.
Issued by the DARDLEA and COGTA
Contact Persons: Ms Zanele Shabangu (0720899556) and Mr George Mthethwa (083 302 2774)
E-mail: shabanguzj@mpg.gov.za or gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za