Land Dispute Highlights Tension Between Traditional and Formal Law
A land spat in Tshandama village, outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo, has brought to the fore the unclear intersection of traditional laws and formal land ownership laws in tribal areas.
The dispute centers around Humbulani Nenzhelele, a lifelong resident of Tshandama, who claims his partially built home was demolished on the orders of Headman Takalani Netshandama without a court order.
I was born and raised in Tshandama. My family has lived and died here.
Nenzhelele alleges that the headman and his subjects forcibly stopped construction on his stand, issued threats of eviction, and began demolishing structures.
- The dispute highlights the unclear ownership of land in traditional communities.
- The intersection of traditional laws and formal land ownership laws is murky.
Author's summary: Land dispute in Tshandama village highlights tension between traditional and formal law.