Parliament, Wednesday, 2 August 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform is encouraged by deliberations at its first public hearings on the Communal Property Associations Amendment Bill [B12-2017] that took place in Clanwilliam, Western Cape.
The deliberations confirmed the dire need for the amendments to the principal act to ensure that the Communal Property Associations (CPAs) work seamlessly for the betterment of families and communities. In the course of doing its oversight work, the Committee has heard of dysfunctional CPAs that hampered the implementation of their mandate.
“As the Committee we want CPAs that are effective and contribute to the food security of the country. Ineffective CPAs hamper the land reform programme in the country. We hope that these amendments will go a long way in rectifying challenges faced by members of the CPAs,” said Phumuzile Ngwenya-Mabila, the Chairperson of the Committee.
One such concerning case is the Elandskloof community, the first successful restitution case in post-apartheid South Africa. The Committee is concerned that the continued challenges between the community and the CPA are derailing a seminal project in the land reform programme in South Africa.
The Committee committed itself to work in collaboration with the Minister and the department to ensure that the CPA Act achieves its intended objectives and ensure that the land programme succeeds. The other issues raised were related to service delivery and the Committee committed to relay them to relevant Committees and departments.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM, MS PHUMUZILE NGWENYA-MABILA.
Media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson please contact:
Name: Mr Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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