Dear Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development,

Land restitution almost 24 year old unresolved claim reference number KRN 2606/99 - no. 220 Pamiet Rd Sydenham sub 8 of lot 39 of farm Wandsbeck no. 835.( A Church  mission of approximately 40000 congregants at the time "Hlabazihlangane" Corinthian church of South Africa) with a farm homestead. The church is bursting at its seems with a congregation of approximately 80000

I am hoping that this 24 year old land restitution claim will be finally gazetted and I will be notified in writing. So that this claim is submitted in time for the 2025 March budget .

Every year I have been promised by the KZN department in Durban that the claim will be brought to finality and that it is one of the matters the office is treating as a priority.To my disappointment, the claim has not been approved, not gazetted and not budgeted for.

The communication announcing new business processes was invoked and Rule 3 Report was compiled on 17/06/2022 clearly categorizing this claim as a "tenant claim"

Todate, the RLCC has not yet approved this claim and not yet published it in the Government Gazette.
I was advised that a copy of the letter would be sent to me when the commissioner has approved the investigation report on rule 3

All this rework is after ten years ago, the retired "Advocate Ngobese" during our face- to face meeting held in Pretoria with officials from the Durban Land restitution department, recorded and acknowledged the fact that Apartheid laws at that time did not allow black people to own land. Hence my late father acquired the land as a tenant. Advocate Ngobese acknowledged the fact that therefore my late father could not be penalized for Apartheid laws at the time. Because he paid for this land but just could not register it and get a title deed under his name.

"Advocate Ngobese" checked availability and authentification of all documents required. He scrutinized that all processes were followed .
Kindly expedite this 24 year old land restitution claim.
Requests:
1.The KZN RCCL Commissioner to approve this 24 year old land restitution claim.( The church is bursting it seams with now over 60000 congregants with Bishops and Priests)

2.The Commissioner to gazette the claim

3.The claim to be presented in time for submission for the March 2025 budget.
4. Demarcation of a suitable government land in KZN in areas in close proximity to Durban to be identified to allow for congregants from afar. The current church is situated in Umlazi Township and bursting at its seams.

Your urgent response will be greatly appreciated

Warm regards
M.R. Richmond - Nkosi