The manner and speed in which land restitution claims were being processed remained a concern, the National House of Traditional Leaders told President Kgalema Motlanthe yesterday.

The manner and speed in which land restitution claims were being processed remained a concern, the National House of Traditional Leaders told President Kgalema Motlanthe yesterday.

Speaking after a debate in Pretoria on Motlanthe's February state of the nation address, the house chairperson Fhumulani Kutama urged the president to address the way the process was handled.

"The manner in which the Land Claims Commission is running its affairs, we are very much worried about that.

"It is moving at a total snail [pace]."

The president must address this, Kutama said, even if it meant augmenting legislation.

"The president must . make sure the commission does its work because our communities out there are waiting for their land."

Kutama said the government appeared to be promoting the paying out of cash sums of money instead of handing back the land.

The house suggested that Motlanthe direct the Department of Land Affairs to organise a land summit to discuss the matter. - Sapa