Land recipients say utility's offer does not cover future losses

Parliament has launched an investigation into a dispute between Eskom and Mpumalanga land claimants after the power utility reportedly proposed a once-off payment of R108966 for the indefinite use of their land for a 400kV power line servitude, an offer the community rejected in favour of R36-million.

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The complaint was lodged by the Mawulu Communal Property Association (CPA), which represents beneficiaries of a 2006 land restitution claim, to Parliament's portfolio committee on land reform and rural development.

Lwazi Ben, the committee secretary, confirmed that the committee had received the complaint and had started an investigation.

“We have already referred this complaint to the relevant department so that they can give us the status [on the dispute] and report back to us,” Ben told Sunday World this week.

He stated that the process necessitates Parliament hearing both perspectives to establish what happened. Ben added that he would this week be sending followup emails to get a report back on the enquiry he sent to the office of the director-general and the rural development and land reform minister on March 11.

“We understand that people are frustrated, so they write to Parliament in hope that their matter will be quickly resolved,” said Ben, pleading for patience with the process.