SAIRR slams land reform green paper

2011-09-02 14:12

Cape Town - The recently-released green paper on land reform is part of a new assault on the Constitution and the rule of law, the SA Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) warned on Friday.

It said the document - made public on Wednesday - sought to "oust the jurisdiction of the courts" through the establishment of a land valuer-general, as well as a new land management commission.

Among its outcomes was that more and more land would be owned by the government, and more and more people would occupy such land at the pleasure of the state.

"Instead of helping black South Africans to experience the security of land ownership, the ANC seems intent on preventing them from ever acquiring this foundation for economic and political independence."

People outside the agricultural sector might see the green paper as posing problems for farmers alone, but this would be a mistake.

"The green paper uses the emotive land issue to bypass the judiciary and establish a new norm: that the amount of compensation payable on expropriation can be decided by a state official (the valuer-general) and that title to land can be set aside by a new bureaucratic body, the land management commission.

"Once this norm has taken root, there will be little to prevent it being extended to mines, banks, firms, shares, or any other asset," the SAIRR said.

  • umhlopo - 2011-09-02 14:29

    We have to check and see how much land is owned by state officials if it is a large amount then i understand why they want to impliment this new green paper,one of their own will be valueing the land and they will sell at ridiculous prices and thus make a killing.I think i should invest in a farm and join the anc

  • Taurusaurus - 2011-09-02 14:34

    Agreed, and very well done, SAIRR! I for one, oppose the Land Reform Green Paper - and quite frankly, I don't care what color it is, its unconstitutional!

  • TaSaqz - 2011-09-02 14:36

    Maybe I'm missing the point but, those who own massive tracts of land in SA, who did they buy it from? For how much?

      Taurusaurus - 2011-09-02 15:00

      From the Republic of South Africa. Land is cordoned off into provinces, and from there cities, towns, settlements, villages, and further into districts, sections, quadrants, and suburbs. All undeveloped land may be subject to sale to anyone meeting all the requirements (and providing that the land in question is not zoned for non-development for certain reasons) for zoning and development of that land. Further, the Land Bank assists the development of agricultural developments for start-up farmers in order to contribute towards South Africa's food security. Start-up government-founded farms belong to the Republic of South Africa (government; not any political party), and can thus be valuated, re-possessed, re-sold, or re-distributed to willing buyers who commit to further improve, develop, maintain, and operate the farm(land) effectively. For further information regarding the Land Bank, please see:

  • Pokkels_LOL - 2011-09-02 14:46

    More land wasted is all I can imagine!

  • Badballie - 2011-09-02 14:48

    The ANC which currently hold 70% of all land in South Africa is consolidating its land while taking more away from white, more proof of treason against the people of this country, but then again what is to be expected from a bunch of illiterate terrorists

      bernard.lesch - 2011-09-02 15:41

      Where do they hold 70% of all land?

  • Totman - 2011-09-02 14:59

    I just hope the people can work out a workable solution. They need to get more black people involve in land ownership. Specially farming. The way it currently is working does not work. All they are doing is causing black people to become the laughing stock after they reward them with farms. This is not fair against those as well. Why are they not getting existing farmers in to help the new owners. Support the process financially and set standards where this trainee and trainer can be measured against. Reward them and secure a good farming community that will stretch over races and cultures that can secure food for the future. They must also look at Eastern Cape and tribal land. Some of the best land is unused or underused and we need it to be fully productive. The government is also sitting with too much land. They do nothing with it or rent it out to people/farmers who do not use it productively. SA belongs to the people and so does the government. I sometimes get the feeling that they think that they are above the people. In the old days as well as now. We all want a piece of land, but it is unrealistic to expect it. This irresponsible way of going about the land-problem in SA is straining progress. I am sure at the end of the day all in SA just wants a fair system without compromising food production while still spreading ownership more equally and less to government. AS long as we all remember the above and that all of us can't have land. It is just not possible!!!

      Taurusaurus - 2011-09-02 15:17

      Been there, done that: AND THE CHERRY ON TOP: - - - "Black farmers have resold nearly 30% of the white farmland bought for them by the government, often selling back to the previous white owners" - - - And how many times must this process repeat itself? Give up already. Stop interfering with people who can do the job properly! (SAME WITH BEE / AA - SA must stop trying to force change. Try stimulate the support of others to grow in the same direction, SURE, but do not STEP ON OTHERS TO GET AHEAD!!!!!!!! Otherwise everyone falls and the whole system FAILS) But if SA government insists on perpetuating this failed attempt at forcing black-ownership of the majority of farms, I only have one question: Can anyone say "I'm hungry"? ;)

  • SushiBoy2 - 2011-09-02 15:32

    The valuer-general position must be given to...guess who? JM.

  • Point Blank - 2011-09-02 15:42

    What a joke.... why even put a name to this paper, just call it what it is, land-grab.

      Phumeza Gubuza - 2011-09-03 08:40

      I think you're missing the point completely. This paper will ensure that we do not get to the Zim situation. Best if you provide constructive criticism of someone who has actually read the documents. And understands the social ills that have led to the situation in which we're in. Please do some research on land grabs in developing countries.

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