AFRA welcomes decision to allocate Ingonyama Trust Title Deeds to improve tenure security

By Tom Draper

On Tuesday the 7^th June, King Goodwill Zwelithini announced the allocation of individual Title Deeds to those living on land that falls under the Ingonyama Trust Board. This will affect millions of South Africans living particularly in rural areas.

Ngolwesibili mhla ziyisikhombisa kunhlangulana, Isilo uGoodwill Zwelithini simemezele ukuthi Ingonyama Trust izoqala  uhlelo lokunikezelwa kwamatayitela kubantu abahlala ngaphansi komhlaba owenganyelwe yingonyama trust. Lesimemezelo sithinta bonke abantu abahlala ezindaweni zasemakhaya (KwaZulu Natal)

Speaking at the opening of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional Leaders in Ulundi, Zwelithini issued his belief that the decision was in line with the countries law.

Ekhuluma ngesikhathi kuvulwa Indlu Yobuholi bendabuku KwaZulu Natal oLundi, isilo sikuqinisekisile ukuthi loluhlelo luyahambisana nomthetho wezwe.

“I recommend that residents of the land under traditional leadership should be given Title Deeds after following all processes of the Ingonyama Trust, which are in line with the policies of our national government with regard to land rights,” he said.

“Ngiyakugqugquzela ukuthi abantu abahlala ezindaweni ezingaphansi kobuhloli bendabuko banikezwe ubunikazi bomhlaba abahlala kuwo, emva kokuba kulandelwe yonke imigomo ye Ingonyama Trust ehambisana nemithetho kahulumeni kazwelonke yezemihlaba,” kusho Isilo.

KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu indicated that the land will be only allocated for residential use, while commercial activities will continue to fall under the existing Ingonyama Trust Board. AFRA believes the allocation of Title Deeds could be a major step forward resolving a number of long standing issues in rural areas.

Undunankulu waKwaZulu -Natal uWillies Mchunu ungcizelele wathi kuzonikezelwa ngamatayitela ezindaweni zokuhlala kuphela. Umhlaba osetshenziselwa ukulima nokunye uqhubeke wenganyelwe yingonyama trust.

Inhlangano yakwa AFRA ikholelwa ukuthi ukunikezelwa kwamatayitela kubantu abahlala ezindaweni zasemakhaya kuyigxathu elibaluleke kakhulu ukuxazulula izingqinamba ezibhekene nabantu ezindaweni zamakhosi.

AFRA remains hopeful of the prospective improvement in tenure security. However, concerns regarding the transparency of the process remain.

Inhlangano yakwa-AFRA inethemba lokuthi loluhlelo luzoqinisekisa ubunikazi obuvikelekile, kodwa ikhathazekile ngokungacaciswa kwendlela elizoqhutshwa ngayo.

“It goes without saying, secure tenure is hugely significant. I do have a number of concerns regarding the unilateral nature of the process. It seems to have gone forward without much consultation of stakeholders. I think without complete transparency it could entrench if not amplify the abuse of power by traditional leaders,” said Mike Cowling, lawyer and land rights expert.

Ummeli u MikeCowling nonguchwepheshe kwezomhlaba uthi ukunikezelwa kobunikazi kuyigxathu elikhulu, kodwa ukhathazekile ngendlela loluhlelo oluzoqhutshwa ngayo ngoba kubukeka sengathithi lumenyezelwe ngaphandle kokuxhumana nokubonisana nabantu abathintekayo. Ngicabanga ukuthi uma luzoqhutshwa ngendlela engekho obala lungaholela ekutheni abaholi bendabuko besebenzise amandla abo ngendlela engekho emthethweni.

AFRA will continue to monitor the planning and implementation of this process with a particular focus on secure tenure for women while maintaining a cautious optimism.

Inhlangano yakwa-AFRA izoqhubeka ibheke ukuthi loluhlelo luhlelwa kanjani nendlela oluzoqhutshwa ngayo ikakhulukazi ekunikezelweni kobunikazi kubantu besifazane.