Question NW471 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
22 May 2020 - NW471
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether (a) her department and (b) any lessees on state land owe money to the Great Fish River Water Association; if so, (i) what amount is outstanding, (ii) from what date has it been outstanding and (iii) on what date will it be paid?
Reply:
(a) Yes, water use charge is regarded as a charge on land. However, where land is leased on a long-term basis, such liability gets passed to the lessee. In the event where the lessee fails to pay, the Department’s Policy provides for the possibility of stepping in to settle the debt and then recover the amount spent from the lessee.
(b) Yes, in the context of the response to (a) above.
(i) The estimation was R20, 438, 725.82 as at 20 March 2020.
(ii) From 2014.
(iii) The Department is working with the Great Fish River Water Association to reconcile the invoices and make payment as soon as that process is concluded.