ANC threat regarding land reform leads to the further alienation of minorities

The threat made by the Secretary General of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, that "anarchy will reign" if farmers do not cooperate with the ANC regarding land reform, is confirmation that the ruling party has deserted a substantial part of the South African population. This threat was made during a meeting with representatives of Organised Agriculture regarding land reform (see Netwerk24 report).

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, said that minorities will not allow themselves to be threatened by the ANC. "The ANC is on the wrong side of the debate. Their plan for land reform is not only morally unjustifiable, it is unconstitutional, inflicts on the basic fundamentals of democracy and will mutilate the free market in South Africa indefinitely."

During the State of the Nation Address, Pres Jacob Zuma declared that the "willing buyer, willing seller principle" should be changed, that radical economical intervention must occur, that foreigners are henceforth not allowed to own land in South Africa and that farmers will not be allowed to own land exceeding 12 000 ha. The government is also investigating the proposal that farmers should hand over 50% of their farms to farm workers. 

Roets added that the National Development Plan's (NDP) chapter regarding land reform is also unacceptable, since it inflicts on the fundamentals of the free market.

"If the ANC truly wants to equip black people to own more land, the only solution is to invest in training. To mess with the free market will damage the economy, further alienate minorities and ensure that food security comes to a fall."

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, February 27 2015

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