Committee Report on Department of Rural Development & Land Reform Budget, Riemvasmak & Rama Communal Property Association progress reports

The meeting began with the adoption of the draft report on the budget vote 39, where a number of small issues were raised, including typos and minor amendments. The main thrust of the changes was that the Land Claims Court should be given greater priority, and a policy needed to be put in place to help with alleviating the bottlenecks in these courts. The adoption of the report became heated when the DA abstained from approving it, even though they had been a part of the process from the beginning. The ANC Members called this an abuse of power, and demanded that the DA Members explain themselves. Finally, the DA confirmed that they needed time to speak with their constituents and other portfolio committee members about the budgeted amount.