The purpose of the Restitution Programme is the settlement of land restitution claims under the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act 22 of 1994).
The Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) is responsible for investigating and processing restitution claims.
The CRLR also develops and co-ordinates restitution policies and oversees restitution court cases.
The Restitution of Land Rights Act, enacted 30 years ago during South Africa’s journey to freedom, stands as a beacon of justice and reconciliation. At its core lies the CRLR, which has tirelessly worked to restore land rights to communities unjustly dispossessed under apartheid and colonialism. This milestone holds profound significance as it coincides with 30 years of freedom, marking strides towards reconciliation and social justice.
The commission’s impact is profound, empowering communities to reclaim their dignity, heritage and livelihoods by returning ancestral lands.
Values
We uphold the following values:
• We value and encourage diversity and will not discriminate against anyone. We uphold the rights of individuals as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
• We strive to be transparent, accountable and responsive in all the services we offer to claimants and other stakeholders, in order to ensure equitable redress.
• We strive towards maintaining high service standards through improved business processes and a focus on ethical and professional operational principles.
• We ensure that we have a dedicated, loyal, results-oriented, professional and people-focused workforce that is passionate and committed to serve the people of South Africa.
• In collaboration with all stakeholders, the CRLR will comply with all laws of this country and will not pass any legislation that is in conflict with the Constitution.
Andover and Leamington Communal Property Association
The title deed was issued to the community for the remainder of the farms Andover 210 KU and Leamington 207 KU, which are currently used as a nature reserve, called Andover Nature Reserve. The properties are both currently owned by the land claimants through the Andover and Leamington Communal Property Association (CPA) and managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as the management authority. The claimant communities had lived on the subject properties in the early 1800s. The subject properties, being the remainder of the farm Andover 210 KU and the remainder of the farm Leamington 207 KU, were both owned by the state. We exist to provide equitable redress to victims of racially motivated land dispossession, in line with the provisions of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No. 2 of 1994), as amended. Portion 1 of the farm Andover 210 KU and portion 1 of the farm Leamington 207 KU, measuring 549ha, are used as communal land for settlements and other activities by the community in general. For this reason, these portions cannot be restored to the claimants’ community. The Commission has considered financial compensation as equitable redress.
Other activities
• The CPA takes nature conservation learners on a learnership programme through the MTPA.
• The nature reserve practises trophy hunting, which is properly monitored to avoid the shooting of animals that are in limited numbers. The reserve is home to animals such as elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, kudus, impalas, etc.
The CPA committee, comprising democratically elected members, was established for the purposes of the administration of the land awarded to the claimants. The regularisation of the CPA was completed in March 2022, and the CPA is compliant with the CPA Act. The claimed land is registered under the Andover Leamington CPA.
