Juju’s farm plot under land claim

The plot for which ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema paid R900 000 cash last June is under a land claim by four Limpopo ­communities.

Eddie Mohoebi, spokesperson for the rural development and land reform department, confirmed that Palmietfontein was under a claim by the Ga-Mothapo community, the Ga-Mothapo Traditional Authority and the Maboi and ­Motokolo communities.

City Press can reveal that the two communities lodged separate claims for the 3.5 hectare farm near the Silicon Smelters outside Polokwane between October 26 1995 and October 20 1998.

The Ratanang Family Trust, of which Malema is the sole trustee, bought portion 79 of the farm a year ago.

Mohoebi said the value of the ­entire Palmietfontein farm or portion 79 was “unknown” because “the valuation of the property had not yet been conducted”.

He said a final decision on the claims would be taken once the Limpopo regional land claims commission had completed its ­investigation into the validity of the claims.

Mohoebi said: “The claims are still under research. It might still take time to arrive at the decision, because the four claims must all be researched and evidence collected and analysed before a final decision can be made.

“It is not possible to indicate how long that process will take as there are internal conflicts within the claimant communities, making it very difficult to obtain consensus on important issues affecting the claim.”

Malema declined to comment on his ownership of the plot and how he had funded its purchase.

The affected communities could not be reached for comment.

The phone at the Ga-Mothapo traditional authority rang unanswered and the other claimants could also not be reached.

- City Press