Issued by: SA Communication Service
STATEMENT BY CHIEF PATEKILE HOLOMISA, MP
CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LAND AFFAIRS
The Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Bill addresses a problem which has existed for very many years. The problem arises out of the history of denial of access to land to Africans. The system of labour tenancy has led to a great deal of conflict, which has increased in recent years. It has made labour tenants and their families vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The Bill deals with the problems which arise from the system of labour tenancy in a constructive way, which will lead to long-term solutions. It does this through two methods. First, it provides labour tenants with effective protection against unfair evictions. Secondly, it gives labour tenants the opportunity to become the owners of the land which they occupy and use or alternative land, with just and equitable compensation being paid to the present land-owners.
For more than four days, the Portfolio Committee of the National Assembly has considered and debated the draft Bill. It his listened carefully to the submissions made by all interested parties. It has made various amendments to the Bill in the light of those submissions.
I am delighted that the amended Bill which has emerged from that work has now been unanimously approved by the Committee.
I wish to express my appreciation of the co-operation of all the members of the Committee, who worked together very effectively to achieve this result. We are also appreciative of the assistance and advice we have received from all the main stakeholders, including organised agriculture and the representatives of labour tenants. They have helped us to do our job as public representatives. I also express our appreciation of the assistance of the officials of the Department of Land Affairs, who initiated this work and helped the Committee in its deliberations.
The approval of this Bill by the Portfolio Committee of the National Assembly is an important step in bringing justice to labour tenants, and in dealing with one of the most pressing land problems faced by our country.