Question NW1594 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
19 December 2019 - NW1594
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What number of land reform farms are leased to beneficiaries in the Eastern Cape; (2) what (a) is the total number of state-owned farms that do not have a lease agreement currently in place and (b) are the reasons that there is no lease agreement in place; (3) what (a) is the total income received by the State for the lease on each land and (b) are the details of the bank account where the money for the leases must be paid?
Reply:
(1) 472
(2)(a) 432
(2)(b)
- Farms that were originally meant to be leased were subsequently earmarked for other programmes like the Animal and Veld Management Programme as well as the One Household One Hectare Programme.
- There are instances where multiple farmers have been allocated a single farm, which has not yet been officially subdivided hence lease units are still being created.
- There are unlawful occupations that make it impossible to conclude lease agreements whilst unlawful occupations are still being sorted.
- Some farms are in the process of being transferred to farmers and farm dwellers.
- Some farms are in the process of being reallocated.
- Some farms have become unleasable because of the growth of settlements in surrounding communities.
- Some farms are claimed in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act and the claims have reached an advanced stage.
- Some farmers are still getting their legal entities registered.
- There have been changes in the leasing policy in the past three years, which impacted on the conclusion of leases.
- Disputes amongst beneficiaries.
(3)(a) R159 503.00 (April – November 2019).
3(b)
- Agricultural Land Holding Account: ABSA Bank Account No.: 407 449 8283
- Department of Rural Development and Land Reform Account: ABSA Bank Account No.: 405 400 6793