Pretoria land claimant ‘not a real chief’

The 48-year-old claimant, calling himself paramount chief of the Mkwaduba of the Bakgatla ba Lekhuleni clan, claimed that his people had been removed from the Franspoort farm by police during the 1950s and early 1960s, Rekord East reported.

The land claimed by Victor includes Wapadrand, Die Wilgers, Silverton, Koedoespoort and several schools, churches and shopping centres and government property. It also includes parts of Mamelodi, Baviaanspoort prison and Derdepoort in the north of the Tshwane Metro. It is believed about 500 privately owned properties would be affected by the claim.

However, a representative from the Lekhuleni family, Peter Lekhuleni, said Victor was never appointed as chief, and that he was not of royal blood.

“What he is doing is against the law – walking around wearing traditional garb and skins and pretending to be a chief is misleading the people and disrespecting the Lekhuleni name,” Peter said.

The Lekhuleni queen, Zodwa Fredah Lekhuleni, echoed Peter’s sentiments, saying: “What Velaphi has done is disrespectful, and he dragged our surname on the ground. One day he will pay for all the wrong things he has done to the family.”

Last month, the Regional Land Claims Commission said the publication of Victor Lekhuleni’s claims in the Government Gazette in December 2014 and February 2015, respectively, did not automatically give them validity.

In a statement, the commission added that an independent researcher had been appointed to investigate the claims further.

– Caxton News Service