Latest news with #Nyhontso
The South African
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
NO land expropriation in South Africa THIS YEAR
South Africa's Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has reaffirmed that no land expropriation has taken place since the Land Expropriation legislation came into effect in January 2025, dispelling fears and misinformation circulating both locally and abroad. 'There is currently no land expropriation occurring on private properties, including farms,' said Nyhontso in a departmental statement. All land acquired under government programmes for land restitution and redistribution is done through fair, transparent, and legal processes, the Minister emphasised. 'The purchase of land from previous owners, particularly white owners, is based on negotiated agreements that uphold property rights and promote inclusive development and access to land.' The Minister's remarks follow statements by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that white South Africans were being subjected to land grabs and genocide. The South African government has firmly rejected these allegations as false and inflammatory. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently met with President Trump to address these concerns, reaffirm bilateral ties, and explore investment opportunities. During the talks, Ramaphosa stressed that criminal violence affects all South Africans, not just white citizens. 'Yes, there is criminality in our country, but the majority of victims are black South Africans,' said Ramaphosa, countering Trump's assertions and underscoring the complexity of the country's crime landscape. Since the launch of South Africa's land reform programme in 1995, the government has acquired approximately 3.9 million hectares of land – representing 2.5% of the national land mass – at a cost of around R26.6 billion. This land has been repurposed for a range of developmental objectives, including agriculture, tourism, forestry, and hospitality. The Department of Land Reform stressed that its focus remains on constitutional, economically viable, and socially responsible land reform. 'Minister Nyhontso wishes to emphasise that any other information and pronouncements contrary to the government's position on land reform are mischievous, false, and misleading,' the statement concluded. As land reform continues to be a sensitive and critical issue in South Africa, officials say the government will stay committed to engagement with all stakeholders, ensuring that land redistribution remains just, transparent, and aligned with the principles of the Constitution. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Land reform minister defends new race classification requirements for land transfers as part of dept's land audit
CAPE TOWN - Land Reform Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has defended new race classification requirements in the transfer of land as part of his department's land audit. He told Wednesday's economic cluster ministerial question session that government had to know who owned the land in the country and was not targeting any particular race. Nyhontso was responding to a question from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which wants him to amend the new regulation that requires people who receive land to disclose their race and gender. The DA's Mlindi Nhanha asked Minister Nyhontso what the legal and constitutional basis was for making the disclosure of race and gender mandatory in the new requirements for the transfer of property. The DA also wrote to Nyhontso demanding that he withdraw the new race rules in the deeds offices across South Africa, calling on him to halt their enforcement. But Nyhontso said that the requirement was necessary. "This regulation is not going to be used against other races. This regulation is going to be used to understand the land and to understand who owns the land, so we are able to audit the land in this country." Nyhontso also told the House that R26 billion was paid to former land owners and R27 billion was paid for financial compensation to claimants.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Nyhontso defends race and gender disclosure for land transfers
Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has defended the regulation that requires disclosure of race and gender in the transfer of land and property. Image: FILE Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has defended the new regulation mandating that individuals disclose their race and gender to facilitate property transfers in the country. Nyhontso reassured parliamentarians that the regulation, which will be used for statistical and land audit purposes, would not be used to discriminate against any race. 'This regulation is going to be used to understand the land and to understand who owns the land, so that we are able to audit the land in this country. 'By the way, even if you are buying a car, even if you are in the bank, you still have a form. Even if you are at the Office of Home Affairs, you are asked this question. Are you an African? Are you white? Are you Indian?,' he said. Nyhontso said the use of the form did not mean this was apartheid against others. 'The land must be known, who owns the land because this land remains the land of the African people,' he said. Nyhontso was responding to a question from DA MP Mlindi Nhanha during the oral question session in the National Assembly on the legal and/or constitutional basis for making the disclosure of race and gender mandatory requirements for the transfer of property. He told the MPs that he has submitted a bill to the portfolio committee and that this has to go to Cabinet and then come back in Parliament. 'At the end of the day we must be addressing this land issue, which is called the equitable land access bill.' Asked how his department will monitor and enforce compliance of the new regulation, Nyhontso said the Deeds Registration System will prevent any deed of transfer that does not comply with the new requirement that persons must provide demographic data, including race, during land transactions. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He explained that the form will compel persons to divulge every detail, whether it's their ID number or the race or whether they are a foreign or a local person. 'With that, we are going to be able to know that this data is legitimate.' Nyhontso was asked if the intention of the new regulation was geared to know the land ownership patterns in South Africa. 'As things stand, it is difficult to know exactly who owns the land in South Africa hence this regulation. And even this regulation is saying we must register land ownership but not register retrospectively.' MK Party MP Andile Mngxitama said the question by Nhanha showed the DA's nervousness towards transformation. Mngxitama said land was stolen from black people and it must be returned to the rightful owners who are black people, including women. 'If we do not measure land returned by race and gender, how will we know if land is being returned to its rightful owners and at what rate?' Mgxitama also said there was nothing unlawful with race and gender redress. 'Your partners in the Government National Unity (GNU) are simply nervous around transformation. Do you agree?' he asked. In response, Nyhontso said he would not respond on behalf of his GNU partners. 'I agree with you that transformation must happen and it must be known who owns what (land) and where in South Africa,' he said.
