Where is the moratorium on farm evictions, Minister Didiza?
7 March 2021
Since the Democratic Alliance (DA) took a stand against the unlawful eviction of Mr Ivan Cloete from the Colenso farm in Darling, a number of farmers across the country have made contact with the DA requesting assistance from pending evictions by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD). The DA has since advised each of the affected farmers not to vacate their farms and to continue with their farming operations as usual.
Minister of the DALRRD, Thoko Didiza, needs to level with affected farmers and explain to them why:
She has failed to issue a moratorium on farm evictions pending the conclusion of investigations into why the evictions were issued in the first place;
Evictions have been issued against productive farmers if no alternative resettlement is available; and