25 Oct 2020

Registrar at the Land Tribunal, Ms Pauline Molefe, says it costs P10 to lodge an appeal with the Land Tribunal.

Speaking at an orientation for newly appointed Kgatleng land board members, Ms Molefe, said their mandate was to adjudicate appeals emanating from decisions of main land boards and planning authorities as well as applications for enforcement by public bodies.

“After the registration fee, every other filing of papers and the process of the appeal is free,” she said.

Ms Molefe further indicated that there was need to create a neutral body that could deal with land matters and remove the responsibility from the minister.

She said the tribunal had special characteristics amongst them speed, cheapness, flexibility, simplicity and accessibility.

Ms Molefe further spoke on the appeal procedure as provided for under section 11 of the Land Tribunal Act.

She said the applicant lodging the appeal had to register a case by submitting the land board or planning authority’s written resolution within a month of having seen that said document.

“A P10 fee is then paid for registration of the appeal and we also provide the appellant with a checklist to see if every document needed has been provided,” said Ms Molefe.

She also noted that a notice of opposition by the respondent within one month, stating grounds of defence and relief sought should be done as part of the appeals procedure.

“A copy is to be served on all parties,” she continued.

Ms Molefe said there was also a condonation procedure, which dealt with reasons for late filling.

She said condonation called on the Land Tribunal to determine whether to entertain or reject an appeals application for late submission.

For his part, Mr Lapa Mokete, deputy registrar at the Land Tribunal, said matters not determined by the tribunal included compensation issues, inheritance issues, enforcement of transfer/sale contracts, issues concerning public bodies’ delay in making decision on an application for land rights or planning permission and disputes involving state and freehold land, except for planning issues. Ends