This ruling follows a complaint after the lawful claimants (accused) started to erect shacks in their land (Sidney on Vaal) which was seen as trespassing by faceless people who claim to be representing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Furthermore, the CPA, which is operating in shadows it has completely lost the plot because of its inability to engage the community on issues of mutual interest chose to enforce their wishes through manipulating the judicial system and patronage through the distribution of food parcels to the vulnerable and the poor, this act propel us to question its moral standing as a credible structure to lead the community.
Furthermore, we continue to reject with contempt, the level of greed by those who continue to benefit from the mineral deposits and game of Sidney on Vaal illegally, who are working in close collaboration with big business against the destitute, landless and poverty stricken communities which does not stand to benefit from those transactions.
This is a milestone ruling as it encapsulates one of the cornerstones of the Freedom Charter that restrictions of land ownership on a racial basis shall be ended, and all the land re-divided amongst those who work it to banish famine and land hunger. It is against this backdrop that we intend to move with necessary speed to resolve all the issues, including the legitimacy of the CPA which has come to the end of its term.
Through our hands on approach on matters of resettled communities, we have identified serious gaps and conflicts in those communities. This is as a result of the availability of mineral deposits, game, fishing and water rights that in most instances are outsourced to big business, which in turn, does not use those resources optimally to benefit people evenly, but only benefit few individuals who in most instances are members of CPAs and therefore, Sidney on Vaal is not an exception to this chronic tendency.
We need to state it categorically that the Sidney on Vaal Estate is government land, we will continue to intervene in the interest of the poor as and when the need arises.
Let me take this opportunity to pass my regards to the dedicated teams from the department, the Land Commission, the Department of Land Affairs and Rural Development and the police force who are working tirelessly to ensure that the state intervention is always biased to the vulnerable working class and the poor, the primary motive forces who stands to benefit from the gains of the national democratic revolution.
Enquiries:
Ali Diteme
Tel: 053 838 9106
Cell: 083 452 9851 or 082 547 8385
Source: Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Northern Cape Provincial Government
