Journalists staged a walk-out at a press conference by provincial land authorities in Durban on Thursday morning after being left waiting for an hour.

The acting chief land claims commissioner, Blessing Mphela, and KwaZulu-Natal agriculture MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu were expected to brief the media on the restitution process and land reform in the province.

On Wednesday evening, journalists were told to be at the venue on time as the MEC had other functions to attend to.

"It's 8am sharp. Please be punctual," stated a cellphone text message from spokesperson Nokuthokoza Ndlela to Sapa.

Most of the reporters arrived at the Southern Sun North beach hotel in Durban by 7.30am.

One journalist from the Farmer's Weekly had left home at 5.30am and travelled from Mooi River in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to be on time.

First, officials told the media that the dignitaries were stuck in traffic.

Later, waiting journalists were told the MEC was on an important phone call and that was why he had not yet arrived.

By 9am, all eight journalists walked out.