26 June 2006
The meeting to discuss and plot the way forward with regard to evictions and
matters pertaining land tenure in Jonkershoek, took place in good spirit today.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Jonkershoek Crisis
Committee, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Agri Western Cape,
Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch Landbou Genootskap, Women on Farms,
South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL), Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry (DWAF), the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs.
Participants confirmed the issues as set out in the agreement that was
signed on 16 June 2006, namely:
* A collective commitment to constructive engagement.
* An agreement that the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) is
inadequate and needs to be reviewed.
* A moratorium on all evictions in this area, pending the conclusion of
negotiations aimed at three to six months.
* The setting up of Agri-villages.
* The centrality of para-statal and private land in the engagement of
transformation.
* All levels of governance to be included in this process i.e. Local/Municipal,
Provincial and National government.
* An end to severing basic services to farm occupants.
* Conducting an audit to provide common platforms of information.
* Rooting out those bad apples violating human rights.
It was also agreed that the Stellenbosch Municipality would review and
update the Integrated Development Plans (IDP), Spatial Development Plan and the
Sectoral Plan, whilst a sub-committee consisting of representatives from Land
Affairs, Agriculture, the Farmers, Women on Farms and the Jonkershoek Crisis
Committee will start with the auditing process and report back to the next
meeting on 24 July 2006.
Minister Dowry raised his concern at the lack of data on all evictions, not
only in Jonkershoek, but in the whole of the Western Cape.
A further concern is the lack of understanding of the Extension of Security
of Tenure Act (ESTA) act by local authorities and he called on Municipalities
to increase their capacity in order to deal with matters that arise from the
consequences of the application of the act. Minister Dowry proposed that the
Department of Land Affairs should arrange for workshops with all the local
councils in conjunction with the Minister of Local Government.
The image of Agriculture is harmed by the negative publicity surrounding
evictions and the minister cautioned all the parties concerned to act in a
responsible way, as the growth of the economy is very dependant on the
performance of the Agricultural sector in the Western Cape.
Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Tel: (021) 483 4930
Fax: (021) 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
E-mail: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Provincial
Government
26 June 2006
