A group of 20 families from the Barolong Boo Modiboa tribe have been struggling for nearly 30 years to institute a land claim for the Matlwang Village, approximately 25 km outside Potchefstroom.

The granddaughter and daughter of the late Simon Chopo Makodi, the chief tribal leader, are still seeking answers to why the government has not compensated their family. Ontlamese Tshibiri (granddaughter) and Kebotsamang Makodi Tshibiri (daughter) say they have not benefited from any assets provided, while other beneficiaries got the monies and assets instead.

The family has also sought legal advice by resubmitting their documentation for the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No. 22 of 1994). “Some beneficiaries were never part of the original exiled families. There is no control over the use of the land. Now there is nothing for us,” states Ontlamese.

She adds that 27 farms, valued at R144,000,000, and 225 Brahman studs were designated to beneficiaries, but they have not received any compensation. Her grandfather, Simon Makodi, had fought to get his tribes’ share of their land for numerous years until his passing in 2010.

An original land claim form was also submitted, validated and published in the Government Gazette. The state (Potchefstroom Town Council) acquired the above land in 1971; Makodi and his tribe subsequently negotiated with the Barolong Boo Ratshidi tribe to temporarily stay on their land until they could return. In 1995, after the Apartheid regime ended, the 20 families returned to Matlwang Village, hoping to receive their entire portion of over 17,000 hectares of land.

Verification was followed to ensure the rightful owners got the land. It did not happen, though. On 28 April 1995, the Department of Land Affairs only returned 3,489 hectares of land to Makodi. Makodi subsequently wrote letters to various departments to clarify the reasoning behind the subsequent land allocation.

“It’s been years, and nothing has happened. We don’t get decent services, and the people on this land struggle to make a living. We struggle with no water and no security control. Anyone can go in and out of this land,” stated Kebotsamang.

The Herald sent an enquiry to the director of Tenure and Reforms at the Department of Land Reform, Mr Richard Sebolai, but has not yet received any feedback.

The Herald also contacted the municipality regarding the numerous service delivery issues at Matlwang Village but did not receive feedback in time for print.