“Ruthless scammers are swindling the vulnerable land claimants in the Eastern Cape (EC) out of their hard-earned money whilst purporting to help finalise their claims!” This is according to the Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Ms Nomfundo Ntloko-Gobodo, who strongly advised that government programmes do not require citizens to pay any money for services.

Ms Ntloko-Gobodo was reacting to information received from the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner in the EC about land claimants from areas including Sterkspruit, Mount Ayliff, Mbizana, Flagstaff and Idutwa, who have been duped by scammers into paying thousands of rands for assistance with, or fast tracking of land claims. 

She says that claimants should be wary of persons who offer what is ordinarily free government services in exchange for payment. 

“As the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR), we want to advise communities to first get into contact with the local land claims office for advice, guidance or information on the status of claims before deciding to embark on a parallel process that require them to pay money. Government is the custodian of the Land Restitution Programme, and the CRLR has the mandate on behalf of government to investigate, and process restitution claims in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No. 22 of 1994). We are best placed to assess the need for external assistance and can determine if such assistance, even from attorneys is warranted and in good faith,”says Ms Ntloko-Gobodo.

“Land claimants who want to seek advice on the need for external assistance can contact the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner: EC on 043 700 6000, even during the lockdown period, for clarity,” says Ms Ntloko-Gobodo.