Question NW804 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
17 April 2024 - NW804
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
On which legislative provisions does her department and/or the Government rely to prohibit the invasion of vacant land such as the one seen in Brandkop Farm near Loerie Park in Bloemfontein?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development relies on the Trespass Act, 1959 (Act No. 6 of 1959) to prohibit the invasion of vacant land.
The Act provides for:
“Prohibition of entry or presence upon land and entry of or presence in buildings in certain circumstances:
(1) Any person who without the permission-
(a) of the lawful occupier of any land or any building or part of a building; or
(b) of the owner or person in charge of any land or any building or part of a building that is not lawfully occupied by any person,
enters or is upon such land or enters or is in such building or part of a building, shall be guilty of an offence unless he has lawful reason to enter or be upon such land or enter or be in such building or part of a building.”