AE01213P

Research report on the so-called Sandford Farm (291KU)land claim, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province

Summary

Archaetnos cc was appointed by the Office of the State Attorney in Pretoria, on behalf of the Regional Land Claim Commission for the Mpumalanga Province, to conduct a thorough investigative research process related to various land claims in the Hazyview area, located in the Mbombela Local Municipality of the Mpumalanga Province. Various claims, some competing or overlapping, has been lodged on various farms in the area. The one under consideration for this report is on various portions of the farm Sandford 291KU, and concerns the so-called Sandford Community Trust and others, including Portion 9 of the farm. All relevant records pertaining to the claim as well as the history and archaeology of the area had to be scrutinized, while in loco inspections of sites indicated by the various claimants and beneficiaries as evidence of their residence in, use of and link to the claimed properties also had to be undertaken. This included the recording of oral testimonies.

Fieldwork and interviews were conducted during March 2012, and the results of this are presented in this document. Archaetnos also obtained the services of Past Matters, a Historical & Heritage Research Consultancy, to conduct detailed archival, deeds and background historical research on the area and the farm. The results of their research are contained in this report, and will be provided as a separate document to the client.

Report by

A.J. Pelser - Accredited member of ASAPA

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