Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) relentless campaign has forced a breakthrough against the unlawful racial classification of South Africans through the Deeds Office’s “Form LLL.”
This compulsory form requires South Africans to declare their race when registering property transfers – a practice with no basis in law, no constitutional standing, and no place in a democratic, non-racial society.
Our Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application uncovered minutes of the Deeds Registries Regulations Board from 10 October 2018, confirming that the LLL Form was originally meant to be voluntary. Yet, without consultation or transparency, it was later imposed as compulsory.
Following sustained DA oversight visits, parliamentary questions, and direct engagement, the Chief Registrar of Deeds has now confirmed in writing that:
- Our objections to Regulation 18 will be placed before the Deeds Registries Regulations Board for reconsideration; and
- The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development has already been formally informed of the DA’s position and concerns.
At the Portfolio Committee’s recent strategy retreat, the Minister himself conceded that government needs a credible and accurate method of gathering land ownership data. This is in itself an ironic admission that the current compulsory racial classification system is flawed and indefensible.
Today in the National Assembly, I will put the Minister on the spot by demanding that he state on the record whether he will abandon this unconstitutional requirement, and whether he will instead commit to a credible, transparent, and non-racial land audit system.
This victory is the direct result of the DA’s persistent pressure. We remain determined to end apartheid-style race classification in property transactions, and to ensure that land reform rests on fairness, accuracy, and dignity.
Regards
Mlindi Nhanha MP
DA Spokesperson on Land Reform and Rural Development