A ceremony to restore land rights covering more than 60,000 hectares to three communities in the North West province was marked by tension and disruption as Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso arrived late to the event. Residents from the Bodibe and Lotlhakane communities voiced strong objections to the leadership of the Baron Rapulana Communal Property Association (CPA), calling for the committee’s immediate dissolution over allegations of corruption, internal conflict, and poor administration.
Minister Nyhontso addressed the unrest after proceeding with the ribbon-cutting that officially transferred tractors, farming equipment, and title deeds to the beneficiary communities. “We have listened to them. We have taken their concerns. We are going to go back to the office and then rectify whatever that is wrong,” he said. He clarified that grievances were directed at CPA management structures, not the restitution process itself.
Highlighting nationwide CPA challenges, Minister Nyhontso noted that his department has consulted with over 1,700 CPAs across all nine provinces. “The fight is not about CPAs. The fight is about money. The fight is about position… about influence,” he observed, adding that disputes frequently surface only after funds or assets are allocated—even causing rifts between family members.
To strengthen oversight, the Minister announced a national CPA indaba is scheduled for June or July. The gathering will issue binding directives to all associations. “If they don’t comply, we’ll disband them,” he stated. Provincial CPA registers will also be implemented to improve transparency and administrative accountability.
It was emphasized that land, equipment, and related assets legally belong to the beneficiaries—not the CPA entities—and urged clear frameworks to ensure communities directly benefit from restored land. Minister Nyhontso supported this stance, referencing a young community member who had participated in a CPA since 2015 without receiving tangible benefits. “It’s wrong. We must be able to know what it is that they are benefiting in their own land,” he said, underscoring that land restitution is intrinsically tied to restoring community dignity.
While celebrating the milestone, the Minister warned that ongoing internal disputes jeopardize sustainable outcomes. “If they keep on fighting, everything is going to collapse. These equipments are not going to work,” he cautioned, noting risks of asset mismanagement, theft, or unauthorized sales. He clarified that dissolving a CPA would not alter beneficiaries’ ownership rights, as assets would automatically transfer to any newly constituted association.
Nationally, the land restitution program has made substantial progress. Of approximately 90,000 historical claims lodged, around 85,000 have been settled through land restoration, financial compensation, or provision of alternative land. About 5,000 claims remain pending. Minister Nyhontso identified two primary obstacles to finalizing settlements: budgetary limitations and disagreements among beneficiaries regarding legitimate claimant status.
Reaffirming the department’s mandate, Minister Nyhontso concluded: “Our role as the department must stick to the law. Must make sure that everybody complies… and if they don’t, must dissolve that CPA. That’s what we’re going to do.” The handover proceeds, but lasting success hinges on resolving governance disputes and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing for restored land.