Ex Sakkieskampers at the crossroad
2010-05-20
Sieb Sieberhagen
IT all began in 1996, and 14 years later, nothing has been resolved. In 1996, land claimants who used to live in shacks in the Sakkieskamp area between Paarl and Wellington, were promised that they would receive land in restitution for their removal due to the Group Areas Act. The chairperson of the ex Sakkieskamp community trust, Patrick Khohli, says they were informed in 2003 that they could obtain land near Klapmuts, where the Municipality owns 260 hectares. Although the claimants are under the impression that the whole section had been promised to them, Drakenstein and the Land Claims Commission say the claimants were promised only 60 hectares. “We were quite surprised when we received this letter from the Land Claims Commission back in 2007. From then on we were side-stepped on what the plans were. We objected twice to this proposed development.” Says Khohli: “On Saturday last week the second meeting since 2007 was held by the Land Claims Commission with the claimants. They did not, however, inform the community trust, the legal entity which represents the claimants, about this meeting in Mbekweni. There was only a small turnout. “At this meeting they told us that Drakenstein Municipality was doing us a favour. People had to sign documents that they accepted the 60 hectares. Members of the trust did not sign those documents,” he added. According to the Land Claims Commission, 40 of the 75 claimants signed to accept the land on Saturday. The property of 260 hectares is located on both sides of the N1 west of the BKB road. Only the section on the Paarl side of the N1 lies in the jurisdiction of Drakenstein Municipality, while the other section is under the jurisdiction of Stellenbosch Municipality. Quite a number of the original claimants have meanwhile settled for financial compensation. Resulting from this compensation, two cases of fraud were opened - one by the Scorpions a few years back, and a recent one by Khohli, on behalf of the community trust. “We were suspicious because members of the same family received compensation, but we have not heard anything regarding the fraud cases,” he said. André Marais, head of corporate services of Drakenstein Municipality, said that the Council has agreed that the land would go to the Sakkieskampers, once the claimants had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Land Claims Commission, which must then be approved by Council. “We are in consultation with the Land Claims Commission. The memorandum describes the process of development, which however could take a long time to take place, as the land is unserviced,” he added.
* The proposed development of a container construction factory by Capetainer on part of the same site (Farm 736) was refused by Drakenstein Municipality at the end of 2009 after long delays as they had allegedly not delivered on outstanding requirements.
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