MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga, Mr Mandla Msibi has appealed to traditional leaders to adhere to legislation that regulates land use management for the allocation of land for settlement and other purposes. Mr Msibi was addressing a cultural ceremony of the Mpakeni Traditional Council at Pienaar, outside Mbombela.
Government has enacted the Spatial Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) to regulate the proper use of land in the country. Mr Msibi says non-compliance to legislation creates a fertile ground for the mushroom of new settlements in areas where services cannot be provided. “Most of the land in rural areas is in your authority. We urge you to adhere to the SPLUMA for the allocation of land for settlement and for other purposes. Non adherence to legislation results in people residing in new settlements where it is impossible for government to provide services. Consequently, this agitate people to embark on service delivery protests,” Mr Msibi said.
Mr Msibi said a strong working relationship between traditional leadership and municipalities is key for the proper land use management and can prevent service delivery protests in the province. “You can identify land for settlement in your area and inform your municipality so that due processes of land allocation can be followed, as guided by the SPLUMA,” Mr Msibi advised.
Ends.
Issued by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs,
Contact Person: Mr George Mthethwa
Contact Numbers: 013 766 6572 / 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
Facebook: @mpucogta
Twitter: @cogtamp