Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: C Dowry: Response to Cosatu allegations on Vuki Farm situation
STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IN THE WESTERN CAPE, IN RESPONSE TO COSATU ALLEGATIONS REGARDING VUKI FARM, 28 October 2004
The allegations by Cosatu with regard to the situation at Vuki farm in Grabouw, are unwarranted, unfounded and totally misplaced and does not contribute one iota to solving the problem at Vuki farm. In fact if Cosatu has bothered to make one phone call to my office, instead of threatening me with complaints of dereliction of duty, they would have been furnished with all the relevant facts.
Although it is NOT the responsibility of the provincial Department of Agriculture to provide funding for the purchase of land, I have involved myself in facilitating a process on behalf of Vuki farm, when I met with representatives from Vuki on 14 September 2004. This included discussions with the Land Bank and the Department of Land Affairs on 5 October 2004. I had a meeting as part of the provincial Imbizo on this farm on 6 October with the workers, to which the media was invited in an effort to highlight the successes of this farm and also the problems.
In fact at the end of the meeting I made it very clear that I will do everything possible to make sure that this farm will eventually belong to the workers.
I also have a letter from Mr Jan Witbooi from Vuki farm dated 19 October thanking me for my efforts to which I responded on the 21st of October 2004, once again confirming our commitment to the process.
I will not for the sake of cheap publicity confront Cosatu in the media but want to rather extend an invitation to them to meet with me and my department and the other roleplayers, including the Department of Land Affairs to be briefed on the issues surrounding Vuki. This is the responsible route to follow. Cosatu can contribute in solving the problems of Vuki farm but only if and when they have ALL the facts at their disposal. I remain committed to this process and will not be sidetracked by Cosatu, or anyone else on this issue.
Enquiries:
Alie van Jaarsveld
Cell: 084 604 6701
Tel: (021) 483 4700
Issued by: Department of Land Affairs, Western Cape Provincial Government
28 October 2004
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