Question NW2152 to the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
26 September 2017 - NW2152
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
Whether there is a commercial farmer contracted to farm the Bjatladi Communal Property Association’s (CPA) property in Limpopo; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the name of the farmer and (b) for how long has the farmer been contracted; (2) whether all the beneficiaries of the Bjatladi CPA benefit from the proceeds of the farming; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the terms of the contract(s) concluded and (b) what amount do the beneficiaries receive each month; (3) do labourers working on the farm receive the current minimum wage as stipulated in the regulations of the Department of Labour; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether his department has taken steps to ensure that the labourers receive (a) Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions and (b) regular wage increases; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (5) how many (a) beneficiaries reside on the Bjatladi CPA property and (b) of the specified beneficiaries actually work on the specified property?
Reply:
Yes.
(a) Mr Evgueni Victorovich Zakharov of 8 Mile Investments 483 (Propriety) Limited.
(b) 28 years and 10 months.
2. Yes.
(a) ,(b) The beneficiaries benefit through the lease rental of R2.5 million per annum which is renewable after 5 years. There is 10% rental escalation every 5 years (effective on the 6th year). There is a 50% profit on class 1 and 2 exports that comes to the CPA for the benefit of the CPA members. Class 3 profits go to operations. Please refer to Annexure A (signed contract).
3. Yes. There are 253 permanent workers who are unionised under FAWU and their minimum wage is R3 600.00. There are also temporary workers who earn R15.39/hour.
4. (a) Yes; though it is not the competency of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, we established that the workers are registered for UIF.
(b) Yes, there is an annual increment every March as per the standing agreement with the Union.
5. (a) 108 beneficiaries.
(b) 108 (same as above) beneficiaries work on the Bjatladi CPA property. The 108 workers are part of the 253 permanent workers.