embers of parliament have called for a full forensic audit of the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) and for the entity to be placed under administration by the land reform ministry over its history of “delinquency” in failing to meet public finance management standards.
Eddy Claude Nininahazwe writing in Amjambo Africa! provides important background on the decision taken by President Evariste Ndayishimiye in July 2021 to suspend and renegotiate all foreign mining contracts in Burundi. Burundi has reserves of nickel, rare earth gold and coltan.
Dr Franklin Obeng-Odoom, Associate Professor in the Discipline of Global Development Studies at the University of Helsinki has recently reviewed a new book by one of South Africa's leading legal minds and land analysts Tembeka Ngcukaitobi . His review of Land Mattters: South Africa's Failed Land Reforms and the Road Ahead appears in the LSE Review of Books.
According to Obeng-Odoom Land Matters is outstanding. Some extracts from his review appear below.
Lucky Mabhiza, a journalist for the Mbare Times reports that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has cancelled certificates of registration for mining in Uzumba that had been given to a Chinese company, Heijin Mining Company (PVT) LTD.
Kim Harrisberg and Megan Rowling writing for the Thompson Reuters Foundation examine how 1.1 million people have been severely impacted by persistent drought in Madagascar and how 14 000 are one the edge of famine.
Zweli Martin Dlamini writing in Swaziland News has highlighted allegations of land grabbing and resource capture by Kinf Mswati
An independent investigation by Swaziland News found that the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who was acting on behalf of King Mswati arrived at Lomahasha to formally inform the residents that the King and royalty were taking over Nkalashane Farm.
The issue of land, especially its redistribution, remains contentious in South Africa 27 years after the formal end of apartheid. Land redistribution was promised at the end of apartheid. The failure of the African National Congress (ANC) government to do so is emblematic of its failure to fundamentally transform the country.
Bereng Mpaki writing in the Lesotho Times provides background on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill which seeks to legalise artisanal and small scale mining. This had previously been outlawed by the Mines and Minerals Act, 2005.
According to the the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Natural Resources, Tourism and Land Cluster Portfolio Committee the Bill sought to alleviate poverty by empowering locals to venture into mining.
In 2014, the Kavango region was divided into two regions – East and West. At the time, the Namibian government, during president Hifikepunye Pohamba's tenure, justified the move saying the region was too large and dividing it would enhance service delivery. This remains to be seen: Kavango West remains the most rural and one of the poorest regions in Namibia.
Government has introduced the new securitised A2 Model Settlement Permit with advanced security features to curb fake offer letters.
This follows the emergence of land ownership disputes countrywide with people in some cases vying for occupation of farms using different offer letters.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka yesterday said holders of valid old offer letters would be advised on where and when to collect their new securitised settlement permits.