outline priorities for the Ministry
29 January 2007
Today, 29 January 2007, the Minister, Deputy Minister, and MECs of
Agriculture and Land-related portfolios, met to review progress and outline
priorities for the year. Among the key issues discussed, were evictions,
inhumane treatment of farm workers, the killing of farmers and AgriBEE.
The meeting agreed that evictions, murders on farms, and the abuse of farm
worker's rights are a matter of concern. It was agreed that there is an urgent
need to engage with the safety and security cluster to ensure that it responds
effectively to the inhumane treatment and abuse of farm workers.
The MECs related incidents of farmers, who impound livestock belonging to
farm dwellers, deny farm workers and farm dwellers their right to bury their
families, deny access to schools, water and other basic services and continue
to effect illegal evictions.
The incidents cited included a case where a farmer exhumed a body of someone
who was buried on a farm, a case of Ms Dlamini who was in a mortuary for three
months, until a court decided in favour of the family to bury her on the farm.
More than 200 cases of abuse have been reported in the Western Cape between
2004 and 2006, as well as the demolition of houses that has left farm dwellers
without alternative accommodation in different parts of the country.
The meeting condemned the killing of farm workers and farm owners and called
on all stakeholders to come together to find lasting solutions to these
challenges.
The meeting highlighted that in some parts of the country there are positive
developments where white commercial farmers have empowered previously
disadvantaged communities and contributed towards alleviating poverty.
The MECs unequivocally supported the statements made by the Minister
condemning the abuses of farm dwellers and killings of farm workers and farm
owners.
The Minister, Deputy Minister and MECs reiterated their support to the
proposed AgriBEE charter and invite the public to participate in the
consultation process which would inform the final charter.
Enquiries:
Ms Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: (012) 319 6042
Cell: 083 452 5743
Issued by: Ministry for Agriculture and Land Affairs
29 January 2007
