The Land Tenure Security Bill, which will be published tomorrow (24 December 2010), heralds a new dawn and hope for a better life for millions of farm dwellers throughout South Africa, many of whom have fallen victim to arbitrary evictions, perpetual inhuman treatment and denial of basic human rights by some land owners.
The Bill seeks to address loopholes in the current two Acts, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 (ESTA) and the Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Act 3 of 1996, which were passed to provide security of tenure to persons residing on farms
The Bill however, goes beyond providing for basic human rights as promised by the Constitution of South Africa, but also addresses the need for productive use of agricultural land to meet the vision of sustainable, equitable and vibrant rural communities and food security for all.
Amongst others, the Bill seeks to provide for: the continued protection of the rights of persons living and working on farms; a support framework for sustainable livelihoods for persons living and working on farms that would, amongst other things, address the need for sustained food production and production discipline; state assistance in the settlement, on alternative land, of interested and affected persons the acquisition of rights in land for resettlement; Public outcry, petitions by farm dwellers, civil society and by rural service organisations as well as media reporting and documentation of perpetual human rights abuses by some farmers clearly pointed to the inadequacy of ESTA and LTA to curb arbitrary evictions.
The Bill will, in the long term, achieve the separation of farm workers’ labour related rights / obligations from those relating to residence on farm land. It also seeks to achieve the creation of harmonious relations on farms, the establishment of Agri-villages to deal with tenure security within the context of sustainable human settlement and food production.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments from the date the Bill is published in the Government Gazette 24 December 2010.
A copy of the Bill may also be downloaded from www.ruraldevelopment.gov.za.Written comments may be submitted to the following addresses: Landtenuresecuritybill@ruraldevelopment.gov.za; SOgunronbi@ruraldevelopment.gov.za, VZMngwengwe@ruraldevelopment.gov.za.
Comments may also be sent to fax number – 0866 92 88.
Public consultations will also be conducted early in 2011 and a communication plan will be implemented to inform interested stakeholders about dates and venue of consultations.
Enquries:
Mr Eddie Mohoebi
Cell: 082 550 1445
