Rajaf community rejects gov’t survey on land grabbing

By Winnie Cirrino

Some members of Rajaf county have rejected a planned survey by the government to assess the level of land that has been grabbed in Rajaf.

President Kiir recently formed a committee to investigate land grabbing in Juba but the communities of Rajaf say they were not included in the committee, which to them, doesn’t make sense because the land owners were supposed to be in the committee since they are the victims of land grab in Juba.

The communities of Rajaf were angered by the committee’s decision to consult the settlers, accused of land grabbing, instead of the local community members. According to Rose Paulino, a member of the Rejaf Community, that’s partly why the community opposed the survey.

“After three or four weeks, we were surprised to hear that a social survey is going to be conducted, so the committee which the president has formed has terms and references (but) the terms of reference do not indicate that a social survey is going to be conducted,” says Paulino.

Kalisto Ladu, the mayor of Juba City Council, says the committee is only doing their duties as assigned by the President.

“A social survey isn’t the distribution of land; this is what we need to put categorically clear. They’re going to see the places which are grabbed, to identify the people who grabbed the land, what they’ve done on the land because they’re compiling a report which they’ll submit to his excellency president (Salva Kiir),” Ladu says.

“The Committee is trying to file all the facts.”

However, Ladu acknowledges that land disputes are common in Juba despite the fact that the act is a crime punishable by law. He hopes that the public can acquire lands legally instead of grabbing people’s land.

“if you want land, apply. If you’ve money, buy. If you can’t buy (and) can’t apply, you’ve to rent and be peaceful with the people,” says Ladu.

for Paulino, she feels disappointed that President Kiir formed a committee without representatives from the indigenous community. She says it’s unfair to be represented by people from other areas that know nothing about the areas where lands have been grabbed.

“These (Rajaf Community) people are the people who know about that part of the land.” Paulino said after her community learned recently that the formed committee visited parts of Rejaf recently.

Mrs. Paulino believes the long-term solution to land disputes is, investing in housing and employing many surveyors to demarcate and allocate land to people with legal land ownerships.

“The government should also ensure that spaces reserved as playgrounds must be protected from land grabbers.” Mrs. Paulino advised.