[ Home ]
[ Speeches & statements ]
Minister Lulu Xingwana met with MECs to review progress and outline priorities for the Ministry
29 January 2007
Today, 29 January 2007, the Minister, Deputy Minister, and MECs of Agriculture and Land-related portfolios, met to review progress and outline priorities for the year. Among the key issues discussed, were evictions, inhumane treatment of farm workers, the killing of farmers and AgriBEE.
The meeting agreed that evictions, murders on farms, and the abuse of farm worker's rights are a matter of concern. It was agreed that there is an urgent need to engage with the safety and security cluster to ensure that it responds effectively to the inhumane treatment and abuse of farm workers.
The MECs related incidents of farmers, who impound livestock belonging to farm dwellers, deny farm workers and farm dwellers their right to bury their families, deny access to schools, water and other basic services and continue to effect illegal evictions.
The incidents cited included a case where a farmer exhumed a body of someone who was buried on a farm, a case of Ms Dlamini who was in a mortuary for three months, until a court decided in favour of the family to bury her on the farm. More than 200 cases of abuse have been reported in the Western Cape between 2004 and 2006, as well as the demolition of houses that has left farm dwellers without alternative accommodation in different parts of the country.
The meeting condemned the killing of farm workers and farm owners and called on all stakeholders to come together to find lasting solutions to these challenges.
The meeting highlighted that in some parts of the country there are positive developments where white commercial farmers have empowered previously disadvantaged communities and contributed towards alleviating poverty.
The MECs unequivocally supported the statements made by the Minister condemning the abuses of farm dwellers and killings of farm workers and farm owners.
The Minister, Deputy Minister and MECs reiterated their support to the proposed AgriBEE charter and invite the public to participate in the consultation process which would inform the final charter.
Enquiries:
Ms Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: (012) 319 6042
Cell: 083 452 5743
Issued by: Ministry for Agriculture and Land Affairs
29 January 2007