PHALABORWA – Businesses operating on state-owned land in Ba-Phalaborwa have been given six months to regularise their occupation or face further action, following a visit by Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala.

5 companies in the spotlight

Zikalala, accompanied by Mopani District Mayor Dagma Mamanyoha and Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality Acting Mayor Victor Rapatsa, visited Palabora Mining Company, Bosveld Phosphates, Foskor, Castcrete and Mopani Group operating in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal area as part of Operation Bring Back (OBB).

The initiative seeks to restore the state’s authority over its immovable assets, address unauthorised occupation and ensure that government-owned land is properly managed and generates revenue where applicable.

The companies were identified as occupying state-owned land without formal authorisation or lease agreements.

Clock starts ticking

During engagements with business owners and mining executives, Zikalala emphasised the urgency of regularising land occupation and use arrangements. The affected entities have six months to comply, failing which further steps may be taken in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

Revenue and land at stake

In Ba-Phalaborwa, eight state-owned farms covering approximately 11 900 hectares are being used for commercial activities, including mining, game farming, tourism and industrial operations, without formal lease agreements.

The situation has raised concerns about potential revenue losses for the state, which is entitled to recover appropriate rental income from the use of its assets.

National drive backs provincial push

OBB is a national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure initiative aimed at fulfilling the department’s legal obligation to restore State control over government-owned property and optimise its use.

The intervention also supports Limpopo’s provincial Operation Vhuyisa Thundu Ya Muvhuso, launched by Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tonny Rachoene to recover and regularise the occupation of State-owned land across the province.

Rules that govern state property

The management of government immovable assets is governed by the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA), which requires state departments responsible for public property to ensure that assets are used efficiently, and that market-related revenue is recovered where applicable.

The department’s intervention is intended to ensure that state-owned land is properly accounted for, lawfully occupied and managed in a manner that benefits the government and the public.