Richtervseld land claims fiasco

The Democratic Alliance is waiting with baited breath to see whether the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture will step up to the plate and succeed in halting the sale of the Richtersveld farms that were won after a decade long struggle. 

It has come to the DA's attention that a self interested party is attempting to bypass the Richtersveld Communal Property Association (CPA) and usurp the land for itself. The DA further has it on good authority that this party never had any intention to develop the agricultural land, which is meant to benefit the greater Richtersveld community, and instead had aspirations to use the land for mining purposes and self enrichment all along.

This came to light after it was discovered that the farms, that were won by the Richtersveld community, were liquidated on 7^th March 2012 and are now due to be sold, together with all their equipment, tomorrow. The CPA, however, never at any stage took a decision to liquidate the agricultural assets and farms belonging to the community. The holding company, Selfdevco, which holds 100% of the shares, also never received any instructions to take this action. Instead the director or directors of one of Selfdevco's four subsidiary companies, namely Richtersveld Agricultural Holding Company (RAHCO), who gave this instruction, are acting without any formal orders and out of their own will.

I highlighted this matter in a legislature portfolio committee meeting today. The HOD, Mr Mothibi, responded by saying that the department was aware of the matter and that someone was "working on it as we speak". I, however, was of the opinion that this was not reassuring enough and that there is no alternative but to urgently stop the sale of this land. The committee chairperson, Hon. Galela, was of the same sentiment and proceeded   by instructing the department to seek an urgent court interdict if necessary - a move welcomed by the DA.

The DA is now anxiously awaiting the outcome of this matter, which in a single blow has the potential to destroy the entire Richtersveld community. The DA will consider taking serious action against the department if they fail the Richtersveld community on this very important matter.  

Statement issued by Gerda Moolman, MPL, DA Northern Cape: Spokesperson for Agriculture, May 3 2012

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