Land Claims Court (LCC)

The Land Claims Court (LCC) was established in 1996 and its primary focus is dealing with land restitution / land claims cases. The Court deals with restitution cases in the form of referrals from the Commissioner’s office or when they come directly through claimants or affected land owners. The main task of the Court in this regard is, therefore, to adjudicate whatever legal issues are contained in the cases and ensure that land is awarded to those who satisfy the statutory requirements.

The Court also deals with the Extension of Security Tenure Act and the Labour Tenants Act. These two acts were enacted by Parliament to protect farm dwellers/workers from ill-treatment and illegal evictions. The Land Claims Court was conferred with the jurisdiction thereof. However, the various magistrate courts around the country also have jurisdiction in terms of the Extension of Security Tenure Act, although their orders pertaining evictions are subject to automatic reviews by this court.

Primarily, the Court has to ensure that the rights of farm dwellers/workers are protected in that all evictions are done within the framework of the aforementioned legislation. In carrying out its mandate, the Court therefore conducts hearings to adjudicate all matters related to the aforementioned legislation in various provinces, districts, cities and towns of the country.