ANC’s racist rhetoric on Free State farmers baseless

25 May 2015

The myth employed by Premier Ace Magashule and his MECs that Free State farmers continuously abuse farmworkers and their families by illegally evicting them from their properties is baseless.

Over the last three years there has been only one alleged incident of an illegal eviction reported to the SAPS to which the State Prosecutor declined to pursue the case. This was revealed in reply to a written question to Police, Roads and Transport MEC, Butana Komphela.  

The DA in the Free State will never defend any abuse or illegal activity relating to farmers and farmworkers and their families. We can also not condone the perpetual racial polarisation agenda employed by the ANC.

The agricultural sector in the Free State employ more than 54 000 people. The sector contributes 4.3% to our provincial GDP and contributes more than most other provinces to national food security.

Free State farmers are generally committed to land reform and willingly assist emerging farmers when called upon to do so. It is more often than not, the ANC government that obstructs independent agricultural empowerment initiatives in the province.

The ANC regularly make use of populist vote-buying tactics to racially polarise South African society in a desperate attempt for relevance. It is a real pity because when instances of genuine racial abuse do surface, many will view it with suspicion, like with the child who cried wolf.

Statement issued by Leona Kleynhans, DA MPL in the Free State Provincial Legislature, May 25 2015