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The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Minister briefed the Committee on the performance, outcomes and challenges of the Land Rights Management Facility, presenting the Fourth Quarter 2014 report, and also touching on the Extension of security of tenure (land) Amendment Bill. It was noted that the Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF) tried to facilitate provision of specialised legal and mediation services to indigent communities and individuals faced with violations of their rights pertaining to land and livelihood. It would also regularise and support dysfunctional Community Property Associations, and administer legal and mediation assistance. The majority of cases dealt with through the LRMF pertained to evictions, but it was pointed out that the LRMF had no ability to influence whether cases did proceed to court, and it was thus very difficult for it to budget accurately for these matters, nor could it influence the outcomes or the time taken. At the moment, the LRMF had resolved 147 disputes through mediation, and evictions made up around 31% of cases overall.
