REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS ON VISIT TO GERMISTON, GAUTENG:
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, having undertaken a visit to Germiston, Gauteng on Friday, 27 May 2005, reports as follows:
2. Brief Purpose of the Committees
8. MEDIA BRIEFING
The following points were released at a joint media briefing, which took place after the meeting adjourned:
"We have responded to the request of the Guateng Land Restitution Claims Committee to come and listen to their request for re-opening of lodgement of land claims.
As the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, we have listened attentively to the request.
We shall go back to Parliament in Cape Town and deliberate as a full Portfolio Committee on the request.
We are encouraging people to consider other land reform programmes, in order to address the question of skewed ownership in South Africa.
Gauteng Land Restitution Claims Committee appreciates the support from Provincial Government, Executive Mayor and the Land Claims Commission. Gauteng Land Claims Committee is also grateful to the Portfolio Committee for coming all the way from Cape Town."
9. APPRECIATION
The Committee expressed appreciation for passion and enthusiasm shown by Gauteng committee for engaging Parliament on the critical matters such as the land question. Further noted that this was the way communities should handle their problems, rather than running to the media without consulting relevant institutions.
THEREFORE, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT: