Parliament, Thursday, 20 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development yesterday called for urgent, coordinated and measurable action to reduce backlogs and ensure that labour tenants receive long-delayed justice.
While making this call, the committee stressed that resolving the labour tenant claims backlog is critical to advancing land reform, protecting vulnerable rural communities and giving effect to the constitutional promise of secure tenure and equitable redress.
The committee received progress reports from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD), Legal Aid South Africa and the Office of the Special Master of Labour Tenants on efforts to accelerate the finalisation of almost 9 000 outstanding labour tenant claims. The briefings highlighted progress made in referring court-ready cases to the Land Court, but also drew attention to persistent legal, administrative and funding challenges that continue to delay the finalisation of claims.
The committee expressed concern that labour tenant claims remain among the country’s longest-running land reform challenges. Despite significant progress over the years, thousands of claims remain unresolved. The majority of claims are concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The Office of the Special Master reported that 8 913 labour tenant claims remain outstanding nationally, almost three decades after the enactment of the Labour Tenants Act.
The department told the committee that 302 labour tenant cases have been referred to the Land Court, with a further 178 draft referrals being prepared during the current financial year. Of the cases already referred, 199 have been allocated to judges and placed under active case management. The department also outlined plans to revive dormant historical matters, including 70 pilot cases to be reactivated under the supervision of the Deputy Judge President of the Land Court.
The committee welcomed measures to improve coordination and case management, including a Labour Tenant Claims Resolution System, a Land Court-led mediation committee, a legal representation framework and expanded geospatial mapping support for court-ready referrals.
Legal Aid South Africa reported that, since assuming responsibility for land rights matters in 2022, it has handled 647 labour tenant matters, of which 360 have been finalised. Of the 287 matters still pending, 139 are currently before the courts while 148 are awaiting referral by the department. Legal Aid emphasised that delays in referrals, incomplete claim documentation, the need for expert reports and challenges arising from deceased claimants continue to hamper the pace of litigation.
The committee raised concern about systemic bottlenecks identified across all three briefings. The Special Master noted that important implementation structures, such as the War Room and provincial coordination mechanisms, have not yet been fully operationalised. Funding also emerged as a major constraint as both DLRRD and Legal Aid South Africa indicated that current resources are insufficient to meet the growing demands associated with labour tenant litigation. Concerns were also raised about limited funding for legal representation, expert witnesses and travel costs. The committee heard that additional resources will be required to strengthen legal support, institutional capacity and the effective adjudication of claims.
The committee welcomed commitments by stakeholders to strengthen and accelerate implementation of the labour tenant programme. Proposed interventions include dedicated coordination structures, better management of historical cases, expanded mediation and legal support, improved digital case-management systems and faster deployment of geospatial services to support court referrals.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR ALBERT MNCWANGO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Liaison Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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