Land dispossession still impacts access to basic services: SAHRC
Commissioner Philile Ntuli says land dispossession occurs in various ways including displacement.
The Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has highlighted the ongoing impact of land dispossession on citizens' access to essential services. Commissioner Philile Ntuli pointed out that land dispossession can occur in various forms, such as displacement due to environmental factors and the establishment of informal settlements. Her remarks were made following the release of a SAHRC report that explored the challenges hindering equitable land redistribution during its Constitutional Dialogue on Land, Human Rights, and Spatial Justice.
Ntuli emphasized that land is not merely an economic asset; it holds profound significance in terms of dignity, identity, livelihood, culture, ancestry, and a sense of belonging. This connection became evident during discussions about communities affected by mining and the location of ancestral graves. Furthermore, she stressed that dispossession can manifest in contemporary ways, including displacement, insecure tenure, environmental degradation, particularly in urban informal settlements, exclusion from decision-making processes, and development projects that fail to involve affected communities meaningfully.
The key issues and findings from the SAHRC dialogue were outlined by Ntuli as the three main areas of concern. These include land dispossession's impact on access to basic services, the connection between land and various aspects of human life, and the contemporary forms of dispossession that continue to affect communities today.
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