Parliament, Friday, 8 October 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development has expressed serious concern about persistent governance, financial management and administrative challenges affecting several Communal Property Associations (CPAs) across the country. The Committee warned that these weaknesses continue to undermine the objectives of land reform and threaten the rights and livelihoods of beneficiary communities.
Its concerns followed detailed briefings by the Minister, Deputy Minister, Director-General and departmental officials on CPA disputes and post-settlement challenges affecting communities in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, the Free State, Limpopo, the Northern Cape and other provinces. The matters included disputes over verification processes, elections, financial management, mineral rights, court proceedings and the functioning of interim structures.
Members noted progress in some cases, where court interventions, verification processes and settlement agreements have helped resolve long-standing disputes. However, the Committee remains deeply concerned about recurring systemic problems, including allegations of financial mismanagement, contested elections, governance instability, protracted legal disputes and tensions between traditional leadership structures and democratically elected CPA bodies.
The Committee emphasised that weak governance, delayed interventions and inadequate oversight must not deprive land reform beneficiaries of the full benefits of restitution and redistribution programmes. Members stressed the need for transparent and accountable administration of communal assets and called for stronger safeguards to protect community resources and ensure equitable participation by beneficiaries.
To strengthen parliamentary oversight, the Committee requested comprehensive written reports from the Department detailing lease revenue received by specific CPAs, how the funds were used, timelines for verification and election processes, and a transparent account of grants and financial support provided to CPAs. The Department also committed to providing implementation plans for outstanding surveying and subdivision work, tracking approved grants, strengthening business controls and reporting progress to the Committee.
The Committee also raised concerns about challenges in trust administration and delays involving the Office of the Master of the High Court. Members welcomed the Minister’s commitment to engage the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development on measures to improve the administration and resolution of trust-related disputes affecting communities.
In addition, the Committee highlighted the growing number of disputes involving mineral rights and stressed the need for closer coordination among the departments responsible for land reform, justice and mineral resources. Members agreed that an integrated government approach is needed to resolve complex disputes and protect the interests of affected communities.
The Committee reiterated its call for a more systematic and proactive approach to CPA governance, including consideration of legislative amendments, increased capacity within the Office of the Registrar and regular reporting to Parliament. Members further stressed that land reform must deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to communities and that governance failures must not be allowed to reverse the gains of South Africa’s land restitution programme.
The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development will continue to monitor progress closely and ensure that commitments made to affected communities are implemented. It expects all requested information and action plans to be submitted within the agreed timeframes and remains committed to strengthening accountability, improving governance and advancing meaningful land reform outcomes for all beneficiaries.
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
Arrange a tour