Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa November 2014 | Page 16

cover story

BY MONIQUE TERRAZAS

Private
Property
Rights in

South Africa
Beware the systematic
undermining of our rights

A

partheid and its laws, including the Land Act
of 1913, was an abomination. Most South
Africans agree the wrongs of the past must
be addressed through restitution. However, it is the
approach to this restitution that divides us.
Government’s land restitution approach has been an
abysmal failure. Despite having spent R50 billion, it was
announced last year only 8% of claimed land had been
returned to claimants, and much of the agricultural
land returned is now unproductive. However, the
concern is government’s current approach of diluting
the property rights of all South Africans to try to speed
up land restitution.
Dangerous developments
Earlier this year, Rural Development and Land Reform
Minister Gugile Nkwinti, published policy proposals
requiring commercial farmers to hand 50% of their
farms to farm workers, based on years of service.
Government will pay for the labourers’ 50%, but the
money will not go to the owner, but into an investment
and development fund, managed by government,
for re-investment in the farm. Stakeholders have
until April 2015 to react, but the reaction was swift.
AgriSA deputy president Theo de Jager said organised
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November 2014 SA Real Estate Investor

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