LET’S PRIVATISE THE LAND AUDIT
During the current Constitutional Review Committee hearings one frequently heard: “We want the land back that the whites took from us”. But who took the land and who owns it now, is not so clear. It has often been stated that without a proper and credible land audit, we cannot have a sober and balanced debate on land, and “that” land cannot be subject to land reform or redistribution.
The two land audits done by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), raise more questions than provide answers. Criticism has already been raised many times. The 2013 audit was intended to identify State land. The 2017 audit was intended to take stock of private land ownership in terms of race, gender and nationality. One private audit, done by Agri SA, was intended to quantify the ownership and commercial transfer of agricultural land.
To illustrate the confusion with just one issue: in the 2013 audit it is stated that the State possesses “only” 17 million hectares (14%) and the deduction is thereforemade that 79% of land is thus privately owned (and assumed to belong to white South Africans). The audit shows that 7% of land is not allocated but that it is probably traditional land or belongs to state trusts. At the same time, it is stated that 16 million hectares (13%) are part of the old homelands (which are not privately-owned). And the land that was consolidated for the former homelands before 1994 is apparently not included here. There is a question whether the national parks and nature reserves are included or not. It seems that the State owns or controls more than the 14% of land which had the media and politicians up in arms in 2013. The updated 2017 government audit has set private land at 94 million hectares - which contradicts the above figures.
It is clear that there is no consensus about who owns what and how it should be calculated. That is, for example, why the FW de Klerk Foundation, in its parliamentary submission on section 25’s possible amendment, asked that President Ramaphosa urgently appoint a task team from all sectors to conduct a comprehensive land audit. Appropriate policy decisions can only be made with credible figures.
We have already become accustomed - because the State generally does not have capacity - for the need for many services to be privatised. This has already happened with safety and health, and education is next. What about the all-important process of commissioning a land audit?