Alberton may not be claimed
The initial map showed that a large part of Alberton would be affected, but was completely incorrect.
Residents of Alberton can breathe a sigh of relief, as the initial reports on the land claim in Alberton seem to have over-estimated its extent.
“DA councillors in Alberton have been involved with this land claim process from the beginning and have been following its progress carefully. It appears that there is still much uncertainty with respect to the actual validity of the claim as well as the extent of the area,” says Alderman Bruna Haipel.
“It appears that the area falling within the Alberton boundaries, as indicated in the claim, could be a lot smaller than originally mentioned,” adds Ald Haipel.
Read: Land claim: how it affects you
Maps showing the actual area only demarcate Kromvlei cemetery and a portion of Brackendowns Extension Five.
The initial map showed that a large part of Alberton would be affected, but was completely incorrect.
Council officials have also studied the documentation very carefully, consulted with their advocate and submitted their comments to the Land Claims Comissioner. This submission points out many discrepancies between the Government Gazette and a list of additional properties and reserves their right to make further representations for all areas falling into Alberton and the metro (Ekurhuleni) as a whole.
Aside from all the discrepancies and lack of proof by the claimants that they were living there, there are also the issues of areas that involve public parks, recreational areas, and the cemetery, so the claim of restitution is not feasible – even if it did have any merit, which it does not appear to have.
RECORD contacted the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Land Claims Commission for comment, but had received none at the time of going to print.
Also Read:
Land claim: people of the South and Alberton need to stand together
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