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The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes Parliament’s adoption of the Land Court Bill.

COSATU supports the Land Court Bill as it will establish a dedicated Land Court to judge land cases.  This will help ensure that courts dealing with land matters have the necessary expertise and understanding.  The Federation hopes this Bill will help alleviate the perenial delays many land claimants, farm workers, labour tenants and their families face when lodging land restitution or farm evictions cases. 

If this Land Court is to achieve its progressive objectives, then government must ensure it is well resourced.  It is important that the Land Court does not sit solely in Johannesburg, but establishes Land Courts across all provinces, and in particular in rural areas.

The Bill will now be referred to President for assent.  When the Bill is finally enacted into law by government, it will be critical for the Departments of Justice; Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform; GCIS, to work with COSATU and its Affiliates; as well as the SABC and civil society to undertake mass education campaigns to ensure farm workers, labour tenants and land claimants are aware of the Land Court and are empowered to access it.  We need to ensure that the progressive laws Parliament passes are actively implemented and felt on the ground in working class communities.

Issued by COSATU