Question NW2591 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

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13 December 2021 - NW2591

Profile picture: Masipa, Mr NP

Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What is the (a) extent of the commonage land in the Western Cape and (b) current usage of the commonage land; (2) whether the commonage land has any water rights to allow farming to take place; if not, what steps will her department take to ensure that there are water rights; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether there are farming activities taking place on the commonage land; if not, why not; if so, what farming activities are taking place on the pieces of land; (4) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the relevant information regarding (a) land that has been invaded and (b) the action(s) that were taken regarding the situation; if not, why not; if so, by what date?

Reply:

(1)(a) The extent of the commonage land in the Western Cape is 8 617,0442 hectares.

(b) The current usage of the land is for horticulture, crop, and livestock farming.

(2),(3) Please refer to Annexure A.

4. Yes.

  • a) The land that has been invaded is Erf 3617 in Citrusdal in Clanwilliam Registration Division measuring 87,4921 hectares and which is under the ownership of Cederberg Municipality.
  • b) There is a Notarial Deed registered against the property to be used only for agricultural purposes. The Department had previously supported the famers through the One Household One Hectares Programme.

ANNEXURE A OF NA-QUES 2591 0F 2021: COMMONAGE PROPERTIES

Farm/ Project name

Property Description

Hectares Acquired

Commodity

Production Type 1

Water Rights (including relevant details) Yes or No and what steps to be taken to ensure water rights

Current Situation

Vredendal Saamwerk Boerdery

The Remaining Extent of Erf 771 in Vredendal (Matzikama Municipality) in the Vanrhynsdorp registration Division

21,7302

Vegetables

Horticulture

Yes, 5ha of water rights is registered

This commonage is not in optimal use as the farmers are not using the full 21.7 ha but is farming on a piece of the adjacent land which is an airstrip. The farmers have formal leases with the Municipality.

Petersfield

Erf 3617 in Citrusdal in Clanwilliam Registration Division

87,4921

Vegetables

Horticulture

Yes, 10ha of water rights is registered

The property is under ownership of Cederberg Municipality and currently illegally occupied. Absence of formal contracts between Municipality and Farmers. There is a Notarial Deed registered against the property to be used only for agricultural purposes. The Department had previously through the One Household One Hectares Programme supported the famers.

Prince Albert Commonage

Portion 1 of the farm Damascus Nr 153, Prince Albert Municipality

5 580,3060

Crops and Livestock

Crops and Livestock

No, the land has Schedule 1 water, as it is only suitable for livestock use, therefore no water rights are required to be registered.

Commonage is still under the ownership of the Municipality and leased to farmers.

Beaufort West Commonage

Farm Bulskop No.423

2 667,0374

Red Meat

Livestock

No, the land has Schedule 1 water, as it is only suitable for livestock use, therefore no water rights are required to be registered. The Municipality has registered boreholes on the property.

Beaufort West Municipality sold the commonage to a commercial farmer to purchase Hansrivier for water for the town.

Bitou Commonage

Remainder of Farm No. 487

196,4785

Vegetables

Horticulture

Yes

Commonage transferred back to the DALRRD. This property forms part of the PLAS projects allocation done and 30 years lease signed.

Oudtshoorn Commonage

Remainder of Portion 11 of Welgemeend

64,0000

White Meat

Livestock

No, the land has Schedule 1 water, as it is only suitable for livestock use, therefore no water rights are required to be registered. The Municipality has registered boreholes on the property.

The Municipality is currently leasing the land to the Oudtshoorn community farmers farming with pigs on a three years renewal contract. DALLRD Recap branch previously tried to support famers through 1hh1ha unfortunately the program was discontinued.

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