The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has found no irregularities in the handling of the Orania land claim that was settled in 2006, following an investigation into the matter.

The findings were presented to the parliamentary portfolio committee for land reform and rural development on Wednesday, according to a statement by Dr Wynand Boshoff, VF Plus MP and chief spokesperson for land reform and rural development.

The portfolio committee had earlier requested the SIU to report on all investigations regarding land restitution, covering cases arising from proclamations during 2011 to 2017. This review process has led to more than R654 million in transactions or administrative decisions being declared invalid.

One of the claims referred to the SIU for further investigation was the 2005 claim by former residents of Orania who were required to leave in 1991 when the then Department of Water Affairs sold the land. Although the approximately 90 claimants never owned land in Orania, they argued that their displacement met the requirements for restitution under land reform legislation.

The Orania community was not a party to the original claim, as it only acquired the land after the initial sale by the government department.

The claim was settled through financial compensation and the matter was considered resolved. However, it was subsequently referred to the SIU to verify that all procedures had been followed correctly.

According to the VF Plus, supporters of land reform should now focus their attention on addressing shortcomings within the relevant government departments. The party suggests that Orania, which serves as an example of communal land ownership and community-driven economic development, could be approached to assist other communities in achieving similar objectives.

The VF Plus maintains its commitment to the provisions of Section 235 of the Constitution and its implementation in communities such as Orania.

The investigation forms part of broader efforts to review land restitution processes and ensure compliance with legal requirements in the post-apartheid land reform programme.

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