Govt officials accused of ‘intimidating farmers’ – to make them give up their land

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lashed out at the Minister for Land Reform Thoko Didiza, with the party claiming to have evidence that proves officials from the government department ‘are trying to intimidate farmers into leaving their land’. This comes after Didiza revealed that 700 000 hectares of state land will be redistributed in South Africa.

Government officials accused of ‘intimidating farmers’

These plans, which form part of the land expropriation strategy as detailed in the Section 25 Amendment Bill, mark a controversial step forward for farm redistribution. In 2018, Parliament gave the green light for a non-compensatory model of land reform – causing international outrage in the process.

Despite fervent promises from the ANC that expropriation wouldn’t target productive farmers, it seems a few government officials didn’t get that memo. Reports emerging this week claim that representatives from the Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) are showing up at certain farmsteads, threatening occupants with eviction.

Land redistribution programme slammed by DA

Annette Steyn is the Shadow Minister for Land Reform. She has been rattled by ‘distress calls’ made to her office, and fellow DA politicians. According to Steyn, a campaign of ‘victimisation’ has been launched against several farmers.

“Following the announcement by DALRRD Minister Thoko Didiza – that 700 000 hectares of State land will be released for agricultural purposes – the DA has received distress calls from productive farmers complaining that this announcement was now being used by departmental officials to intimidate them into vacating their farms.”

“We have enough evidence that intimidation and corruption is taking place on currently occupied land. Some of the farmers being victimised by DALRRD officials are not even listed for redistribution under the 700 000 hectare scheme. We remain committed to fighting all land expropriation legislation and protect our farmers from undue State interference.”

Annette Steyn

Farmers allegedly told to ‘hand over keys’ to ANC enforcers

Steyn chose the example of the Colenso Farm, which made headlines recently. Unidentified officials from Didiza’s department told a farmer to leave his property ‘immediately’, while insisted he should hand over his keys. As the DA were keen to stress, behaviour like this may be responsible for ‘ushering in a dangerous era’ across South Africa:

“A recent victim of this intimidation campaign is Ivan Cloete. This week, intervention from the DA stopped his eviction, after DALRRD officials asked him to hand over the keys and leave immediately. It’s unclear who gave an order for eviction – especially considering the fact that Colenso Farm is not listed under the 700 000 hectares land redistribution programme.”

“There are many farmers out there who are in Mr. Cloete’s predicament. Their harassment is a potential indicator of what is to happen to farmers should the disastrous Section 25 Amendment Bill get passed. South Africa could be headed towards a dangerous era where farmers are targeted for eviction with due legal recourse.” 

Annette Steyn