Question NW2200 to the MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
18 October 2018 - NW2200
Carter, Ms D to ask the MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
Whether she has found that the pace and quality of land reform had been weak and pathetic as a consequence of weak policy, corruption, lack of will and a lack of capacity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2368E
Reply:
No. The slow pace in delivery has resulted mainly from applying the willing buyer willing seller principle which has proven to be ineffective; the use of market value which is not in line with section 25 of the Constitution and the limited budget allocation for land reform.
The establishment of the Office of the Valuer General (OVG) assisted in reducing the value of offers made to land owners since it considers the factors listed in section 25(3) of the Constitution to arrive at equitable compensation for a land parcel instead of strictly and exclusively applying the willing buyer willing seller principle which is market related.