Cape Town - Former residents of District Six may be able to start returning to their suburb, flattened four decades ago by apartheid bulldozers, land reform minister said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters in Cape Town ahead of a meeting in the city’s convention centre with District Six land claimants, Minister Gugile Nkwinti said he wanted a February deadline on negotiations, so matters could start to move forward “on the ground.”
Saturday’s meeting - the third the minister has held this year with claimants - is set to get a report-back from two task teams.
One is the so-called technical group, the other a social integration team.
“Today, we get the report, we assess (it) and get a way forward.”
“In February 2013, I want a meeting, where they will elect a vehicle - a trust or company or special purpose vehicle, whatever claimants want - so we can start working. That is my deadline with them.”
There were 1060 District 6 claimants.
“We want matters to be concluded. Those who want to go back to District Six must go back to District Six.
“Those who want to be compensated - remember, you either go back, or you get financial compensation or alternative land - must get this.”
Nkwinti said “a number” of claimants had indicated they wanted compensation, rather than return to District Six.
He did not indicate how many of the claimants wanted compensation. Government had budgeted for this, but it would not release money until claimants had proper legal representatives.
“We have budgeted R700 million for this year and next year. Money is available but it is not going to be released until a legitimate structure is put in place.”
The city and the province was ready for the February deadline. - Sapa
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