A North West family says land restored to them through restitution now forms part of the Pilanesberg Airport runway. Government has confirmed the encroachment, and admits there is currently no lease or compensation agreement governing the land.
Pilanesberg, North West — A dispute is brewing over the future of Pilanesberg International Airport after the family trust that owns land beneath part of the airport runway accused government departments of using their property without compensation or agreement.
The Mareume and Matsiela Family Trust says it holds legal title to Portion 3 of the farm Rhenosterfontein 86 JQ, land that includes part of the airport runway, after it was restored through the land restitution process in 2014. According to documentation seen by TownPress, the property was returned under the Restitution of Land Rights Act following a settlement agreement facilitated by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.
However, the Trust alleges that a significant portion of the restored land is currently being used as part of the Pilanesberg Airport runway by the Department of Public Works and Roads, without a formal arrangement governing the use of the property.
The dispute resurfaced after recent announcements that government plans to revamp and rebuild Pilanesberg International Airport, with the project positioned as part of broader efforts to modernise regional infrastructure and strengthen tourism linked to the nearby Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City resort area.
For the Trust’s leadership, the announcement came as a shock.
“We saw on the media the minister signing an agreement to rebuild the airport and speaking about partnerships with local communities and traditional authorities,” said Trust chairperson Lena Lukhele in correspondence sent to TownPress. “It was the first time we heard of this, yet we are the rightful landowners.”
The Trust says it has been trying for years to engage authorities about the use of the land, including approaching the Public Protector after alleging that repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the Department of Public Works were ignored.
Documents show that the Public Protector received a complaint in December 2023 concerning alleged encroachment onto the restitution land and the department’s failure to resolve the matter. The case was later closed after the department indicated the issue was receiving attention and that further discussions would take place.
Despite that assurance, the Trust says no final agreement or response was received.
The family had initially announced plans to stage a protest on 6 March, where a memorandum was to be handed to the airport manager demanding clarity and engagement from government.
However, the Trust has since confirmed that the protest has been postponed to 19 March after police indicated the march had not been approved due to procedural requirements. According to Trust chairperson Lena Lukhele, the Mogwase police station commander warned that participants could face arrest if they proceeded with the protest without the necessary approvals.
Despite the delay, the Trust says it remains determined to proceed with the demonstration.
“We remain committed to exposing what we believe are government irregularities and to continue fighting for our land rights,” Lukhele said in an update to TownPress.
In a letter previously sent to the Regional Land Claims Commission in the North West, the Trust warned that the airport’s presence on the farm remained unresolved and requested intervention regarding what it described as airport encroachment on the restitution property.
The Pilanesberg Airport project has been presented by government as a key infrastructure development intended to support tourism and economic activity in the North West province.
But for the landowners, the situation raises broader questions about how restitution land is treated once returned to claimants.
“This is the story of many South Africans who were given land through restitution, yet the same government continues to use it without compensation,” the Trust said.
Government confirms runway encroachment
In response to questions from TownPress, the North West Department of Public Works and Roads acknowledged that a portion of the Pilanesberg International Airport runway infrastructure falls within restitution land belonging to the Mareume–Matsiela Family Trust.
According to the department, the issue relates to an encroachment of approximately 35.8 hectares forming part of the runway infrastructure on Portion 3 of the farm Rhenosterfontein 86 JQ.
“The matter relates to an encroachment of approximately 35.8 hectares of land forming part of the airport runway infrastructure which falls within Portion 3 of the farm Rhenosterfontein 86 JQ,” said Ms Bayanda Zenzile, Acting Director for Communications at the North West Department of Public Works and Roads, in a written response to TownPress.
Zenzile said several engagements have taken place between representatives of the Trust, the Department of Public Works and Roads, the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner and other stakeholders to explore possible solutions.
Among the options discussed are the conclusion of a lease agreement, a public–private partnership arrangement proposed by the Trust, or the possible acquisition of the land by the provincial government.
However, the department confirmed that no formal lease agreement, servitude, compensation arrangement or public-private partnership currently governs the use of the affected portion of land, while engagements between the parties remain ongoing.
Government said that because the matter originates from a settlement under the Restitution of Land Rights Act, it has been referred to the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner for guidance on the appropriate way forward.
For observers of land reform policy, the situation highlights the complex reality that can emerge when historic infrastructure intersects with land returned through restitution.
As the Pilanesberg Airport redevelopment plans move forward, the unresolved question remains whether the land beneath part of the runway will be leased, acquired by government, or returned fully to the control of its rightful owners.
Meanwhile, the Trust says the planned protest and memorandum handover is intended to ensure the matter receives the attention it believes it has been denied for years.
Anyone with additional information relating to this story can contact us through email press@townpress.co.za.
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