Jozana Community Development v Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform and Others (LCC117/2015) [2017] ZALCC 28 (30 June 2017)

Jozana Community Development v Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform and Others (LCC117/2015) [2017] ZALCC 28 (30 June 2017)

The court found that the Director-General's letter of 28 January 2010 constituted administrative action as defined by PAJA, but that the Director-General acted ultra vires by purporting to adjudicate the merits of the Jozana Community's land claim. The Restitution of Land Rights Act vests the power to investigate...

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Citation
[2017] ZALCC 28
Parties
Applicant: Jozana Community Development Trust; Respondent: Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform; Respondent: Minister of Environmental Affairs; Respondent: Minister of Water Affairs; Respondent: Chief Land Claims Commissioner; Respondent: Regional Land Claims Commissioner; Respondent: Joe Gqabi District Municipality; Respondent: Senqu Municipality; Respondent: Tshani Consulting CC; Respondent: Bloem Water Company; Respondent: Mr Mafaltiri - Chairman of the so-called Magwiji Committee
Court
Land Claims Court
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
LCC117/2015
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Judgment on Review Application
Outcome
The review application succeeded. The Director-General's decision was reviewed and set aside. The matter was directed to be referred to the Land Claims Court for adjudication on the merits. No order as to costs.
Judges
Poswa-Lerotholi
Legal Topics
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, Restitution of Land Rights Act, Ultra Vires Decision, Procedural Fairness, Competing Land Claims
Administrative Law Land and Property Promotion of Administrative Justice Act Restitution of Land Rights Act Ultra Vires Decision Procedural Fairness Competing Land Claims

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Parties

Jozana Community Development Trust

Applicant

Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform

Respondent

Minister of Environmental Affairs

Respondent

Minister of Water Affairs

Respondent

Chief Land Claims Commissioner

Respondent

Regional Land Claims Commissioner

Respondent

Joe Gqabi District Municipality

Respondent

Senqu Municipality

Respondent

Tshani Consulting CC

Respondent

Bloem Water Company

Respondent

Mr Mafaltiri - Chairman of the so-called Magwiji Committee

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Review Application / Judgment on Review Application

  1. 1 Whether the Director-General's letter of 28 January 2010 constitutes reviewable administrative action under PAJA.
  2. 2 Whether the Director-General acted ultra vires and without authority in rejecting the applicant's land claim.
  3. 3 Whether the administrative action was procedurally fair and complied with the Restitution of Land Rights Act.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the Director-General's letter of 28 January 2010 constituted administrative action as defined by PAJA, but that the Director-General acted ultra vires by purporting to adjudicate the merits of the Jozana Community's land claim. The Restitution of Land Rights Act vests the power to investigate and process claims in the Commission, with adjudication reserved for the Land Claims Court. The Director-General's decision was procedurally unfair, as the applicant was not afforded proper process or reasons, and the matter was not referred for mediation or court adjudication as required by law. The court held that the Director-General lacked authority to dismiss the claim and...

Court Disposition

The review application succeeded. The Director-General's decision was reviewed and set aside. The matter was directed to be referred to the Land Claims Court for adjudication on the merits. No order as to costs.

Orders

  • The decision taken by the Director-General in the letter of 28 January 2010 is reviewed and set aside.
  • The Chief Land Claims Commissioner (Fourth Respondent) is directed to take all necessary steps to refer the matter to the Land Claims Court for adjudication on the merits.