Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

A dispute has erupted between prominent Limpopo attorney, Post Moloto, and the provincial department of health and social development over a piece of land on which a public clinic is built.

The disputed land belongs to a company called Jibeng Property Limited which is jointly owned by Moloto and a man called Andrew Miles.

The two apparently want the department to enter into a 99-year lease agreement because they say the clinic is built on their land in Waterkop in the Sekhukhune area.

In another development, it has emerged that four clans in the area have lodged claims against the same piece of land with the land claims commissioner.

While the department appears to be reluctant to enter into the lease agreement, the community is demanding that the clinic be opened.

If operational, the clinic will serve 50000 people from seven villages in the area.

The clinic has been completed and was supposed to have been officially opened last week.

Yesterday Moloto insisted he wanted a lease agreement "or else the clinic will remain a white elephant".

"This is my land and I'm in possession of documented proof to that effect," he said.

Advocate Chuene Rammutla, for the department, said the opening of the clinic would be put on hold until the land claims commissioner has made a ruling regarding the legitimate land owners.