More than 190 families forcibly removed during apartheid from their homes in KwaDukathole, Ekurhuleni, are still waiting for restitution 12 years after the compensation process began. The families were among over 700 claimants relocated to Katlehong after being removed from their homes. The department of rural development and land reform has offered R115,717,721 in financial compensation. However, outstanding beneficiaries must first undergo verification to confirm they are descendants of the dispossessed people.
Of the 706 original claimants, 510 have been paid, leaving 196 still waiting. Department spokesperson Sibusiso Lubisi stated that outstanding claimants are expected to be paid in the 2027/28 financial year, subject to the completion of the verification process. Since payments are normally done in batches, it can take approximately two years due to compliance processes. Lubisi mentioned that the department is aware of the 196 beneficiaries on the court list and has met them and their legal representative in Katlehong.
According to Lubisi, 95% of the 510 approved beneficiaries have been paid, with payment reconciliation expected to be completed by the end of December this year. The 196 outstanding claimants were not part of the initial list submitted by the KwaDukathole land claims committee and could not be verified before the first payments were made. Claimant Lucky Dhlamini alleged that the 196 were removed from the original list after disagreements with their lawyer, Adv Lebogang Matloga.
Dhlamini stated that initially, there were 706 claimants, but only 510 were paid, with each receiving R220,000, excluding the 12% lawyer's fee per claimant. Documents showed an initial financial compensation award of R63m, followed by another R54m. Matloga declined to comment, saying he still had to respond to the claimants about the status of the restitution process.
For some families, the compensation will have to be shared among several descendants. Claimant Tem-Tem Zilimbola said the property belonged to her grandmother, and the money would have to be divided among her and seven siblings. She mentioned that whatever compensation she receives will have to be divided among her seven siblings, as they are also beneficiaries.
Dikeledi Ralutanda said her family had agreed to establish a family trust to ensure their restitution award creates long-term benefits. Her mother and aunt, who started and continued the claim, have since died. Ralutanda stated that she sat down with them, and they decided to have a family trust to use the award to build rooms in their grandparents' house.
The community is now demanding a specific payment date, having already waited over a decade. The department's verification process and batch payment system have contributed to the delay. Key stakeholders, including the claimants and the department, are working together to finalize the payment process, with the goal of completing it by the 2027/28 financial year.
Key points
- Over 190 families in Ekurhuleni still await land restitution payments 12 years after the process began.
- The department of rural development and land reform has offered R115,717,721 in financial compensation.
- Payments are expected to be completed by the 2027/28 financial year, subject to verification and compliance processes.
