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Cape Town - Agri SA welcomes the government's position of no tolerance towards those who want to occupy land in South Africa illegally, according to Agri SA president Johannes Möller.
He reacted to comments made by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson in this regard on Thursday.
Joemat-Pettersson was reacting to threats by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to occupy farms.
All land should be transferred to state ownership, according to the EFF's founding manifesto. The party said expropriation without compensation is one of its seven non-negotiable "cardinal pillars".
According to the manifesto the state should, through its legislative capacity, obtain all land and administer it for sustainable development purposes. These land transfers should happen without compensation and apply to all South Africans, black and white.
Those currently using land or intending to use it would have to apply for a "land-use licence".
She said the government would not allow farm occupations and will do everything in its power to prevent such brutal acts.
Möller said radical political opportunism must not be allowed to undermine the mainstream thinking and values South Africa is based on as a constitutional state.
"The National Development Plan represents a balanced middle ground in which the government, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the economy and society, could unlock the potential of South Africa in the best interest of its people. Radicalism has no place in it," said Möller.
He nevertheless encouraged farmers to watch out for illegal actions and to maintain good relationships with the police to ensure that law and order is maintained.
- Fin24
He reacted to comments made by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson in this regard on Thursday.
Joemat-Pettersson was reacting to threats by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to occupy farms.
All land should be transferred to state ownership, according to the EFF's founding manifesto. The party said expropriation without compensation is one of its seven non-negotiable "cardinal pillars".
According to the manifesto the state should, through its legislative capacity, obtain all land and administer it for sustainable development purposes. These land transfers should happen without compensation and apply to all South Africans, black and white.
Those currently using land or intending to use it would have to apply for a "land-use licence".
She said the government would not allow farm occupations and will do everything in its power to prevent such brutal acts.
Möller said radical political opportunism must not be allowed to undermine the mainstream thinking and values South Africa is based on as a constitutional state.
"The National Development Plan represents a balanced middle ground in which the government, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the economy and society, could unlock the potential of South Africa in the best interest of its people. Radicalism has no place in it," said Möller.
He nevertheless encouraged farmers to watch out for illegal actions and to maintain good relationships with the police to ensure that law and order is maintained.
- Fin24
