Question NW136 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
11 April 2024 - NW136
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Considering that Cabinet’s approved a R334,41 million reduction in her department’s baseline for Programme 3: Food Security, Land Reform, and Restitution due to unforeseeable economic and financial events, what (a) strategies and plans has she put in place to achieve the land reform targets and (b) are the further relevant details of the strategies and plans?
Reply:
a) The following strategies and plans have been put in place to address the 334.41 million reduction in Department’s baseline for Programme 3: Food Security, Land Reform and Restitution:
- Restitution:
Due to the declining budget, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (the Commission) reduced its Annual Performance Plan targets from 355 claims settled in 22/23 financial year to 349 in the 23/24 financial year and 319 for the 24/25 financial year. Taking cognisance of the increased value of settlements and the declining budget, the Commission has aligned the settlement and finalisation targets with the allocated budget.
- Land Redistribution and Tenure:
Equitable access of land includes the security of tenure; although the budget cut will restrict the acquisition of new land, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) will effect transfer of state land under leasehold into freehold title which will increase the ownership of land and security of tenure. DALRRD will also fast-track the settlement of outstanding labour tenants’ claims as they cost less compared to land acquired for land redistribution and security of tenure will be enhanced.
b) Further details are as follows:
- Restitution:
The Backlog Reduction Strategy (this refers to the settlement of old order claims) that targets the pre-1998 claims is currently being implemented in the Commission in line with the allocated budget. The strategy was to reduce the target from 408 to 319 for the 2024/25 financial year.
- Land Redistribution and Tenure:
The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform, directed DALRRD to explore policy proposals to effect transfer of state land under leasehold to current lessees or occupants into freehold title. Consultation with the affected lessees has been done and concurrence with National Treasury has been obtained.
The decision is premised on the following:
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- Limitations of leasehold in terms of access to private capital to develop the land;
- Limited government funding to support all lessees; and
- Costs for maintaining and administering leased land.