Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza on Saturday expressed shock at the rise in the number of farm evictions in the Mpumalanga area.
This follows reports by the Mpumalanga land affairs department of the steady increase in the number of farm workers and labour tenants being evicted from farms.
”Government is appalled at the blatant disregard for the law and the rights of the people currently being evicted from the farms. This current behaviour will not and cannot be tolerated,” Didiza said.
According to Didiza, her department in accordance with the Labour Tenants Act (LTA) and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA), was committed to protecting the tenure security and rights of farm workers and labour tenants.
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 25 farm eviction complaints have been brought to the attention of the department, while some 75 cases have already been referred to the courts for further action.
The cases before the courts range from illegal farm evictions to burial rights.
”Our obligation as government is to provide legal action in defence of the evicted parties. That is why we have formed solid partnership with the Mpumalanga department of safety and liaison to ensure that the LTA and ESTA Acts are enforced.
”We have also ensured that we work together with Agri SA in the province to educate farmers on the rights of farm workers and labour tenants,” Didiza concluded. – Sapa