Kiwi Sorry for taking my time getting back to you about my thoughts on Shapiro's statement
"The beng tribe is the deemed owner in terms of the minerals act of the property."
I'm at a bit of a loss to explain it but he might be refering that if they are the tradition owners they then are deemed to be the owners in term of the mineral act, section 104.
Some people are going to love the links I'm providing that show the tradition council areas in 2006 and 2009. You will need to zoom in on the disputed area on the 2009 map. In my opinion and it appears to me and its also the South Africa Governments view that up until 2009 at least, that the Bengwenyama-ya-Maswazi are traditional owners of Soupiana and Nooiterwacht and that the Roka Phasa-Phokoane are traditional owners of Eerstegeluk and De Goedeverwachting. Also note that the farms Hoepakrantz, De kom, Garatouw dont appear to have Traditional council areas.
It still begs the question as to why the Bengwenyama-ya-Maswazi never challenged Soupiana as Genorah will have to consult with them if they are ever to commence any sort of work on this property.
