Parliament, Thursday, 3 April 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development received briefings from the Department of Land Reform, the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) and the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights on quarters two and three of the 2024/25 financial year.
The committee was very concerned about the department’s underspending, which was reported for both quarters. The department, led by Minister Zwanele Nyhontso and Deputy Minister Stanley Mathabatha indicated that in relation to its adjusted budget of R16.998 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, expenditure amounted to R10,828 billion by the third quarter (31 December 2024) and R12,996 billion to date.
Members of the committee said that the R2,168 billion underspending was unacceptable considering that it affected the department’s core functions, such as food security, land reform and restitution and rural development programmes. The committee was also very concerned about consequence management on audit improvement plans, which among other things, included findings relating to administrative errors that resulted in non-compliance matters being reported, including government officials doing business with the State.
Turning to the ITB, the committee welcomed what it called work in progress and asked the entity to provide clarification about complaints related to the payment of benefits for Amakhosi. The committee further indicated that the ITB report is inadequate without a component on Ingonyama Holdings.
The committee expressed its view to the Minister, that the department ought to be assisting the ITB to regain control of Ingonyama Holdings. “The subsidiary company cannot be allowed to become a law unto itself”, said committee Chairperson, Mr Albert Mncwango, as he reiterated members concerns. Furthermore, the committee requested reports on the unauthorised sale of land, which it said is unacceptable, as financial resources should be accounted for within the Ingonyama Trust.
The committee requested Minister Nyhontso to provide an update on the pending matter between ITB and King MisuZulu ka Zwelithini. Mr Nyhontso indicated that the department was finalising terms of reference for the establishment of an investigative committee to probe the issues of the ITB and the Ingonyama Trust.
Committee Chairperson Mr Albert Mncwango, thanked the department and the entities for appearing before the committee. He said the committee is looking forward to receiving the detailed written reports, including the payments of the benefits due to Amakhosi.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR ALBERT MNCWANGO
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