Parliament, Wednesday, 10 May 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform met today to discuss the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform on Budget Vote 39: Rural Development and Land Reform.

For the first time the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) has tabled financials for two separate entities, the Ingonyama Trust and the Ingonyama Trust Board.

The Committee commends the Ingonyama Trust for tabling the annual performance plan and the operational plan with clear timeframes, which will assist the Committee to do its oversight work.

The Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights also presented its plan. The Committee is concerned is about the backlog in unresearched claims, which still need to be finalised.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Phumuzile Ngwenya-Mabila, said that the role of the Office of the Valuer-General is operational and will have a positive impact in fast-tracking the valuation of land under the land reform programme.

The Committee further considered the annual performance plan of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. It appreciates the progress made in the previous financial year in implementing departmental programmes. However, concerns were raised about the National Rural Youth Service (Narysec) programme in achieving its targets and the lack of monitoring of land reform farms. 

The Committee supports the transfer of the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (Recap) to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to avoid duplication of services.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM, MS PHUMUZILE NGWENYA-MABILA 

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