Question NW3377 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
11 October 2022 - NW3377
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she has found that the proposal of agri-villages as a solution to the problem of evictions is an indication of the failure of the Government to secure tenure rights for farm dwellers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No. The Agri-village model is a programme that provides farm dwellers with an opportunity to have security of tenure, access to basic services, and sustainable livelihoods. The programme is not meant to address evictions. The Extension of Security of Tenure Act, 1997 (Act No. 62 of 1997) (ESTA) protects the rights of farm dwellers against unlawful evictions, and the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development working with Legal Aid SA provides legal representation to farm dwellers to defend them against such unlawful evictions.