PRAKTISEER
Emerging farmers at the Tswelopelo Irrigation Scheme in Praktiseer outside Burgersfort, Fetakgomo Local Municipality (FTLM) Ward 13, say years of unlawful occupation are destroying their livelihoods, even as they continue to pay annual rent to government for land they cannot use.
The 49 beneficiaries lease the land from the National Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, under agreements dating back to 2001. But they allege the property has been illegally occupied since 2016, despite a Limpopo High Court order issued in May 2018, directing occupiers to vacate, stop construction and remove structures already erected.
In Cluster 1 of the land, which covers 70 hectares, eight farmers hold lawful leases. Five of them say they are severely affected by the occupation, and only two remain actively farming. The situation has deepened frustration because government is still charging rent.
According to the farmers, two court orders were issued to remove the illegal occupiers. They allege that on both occasions, enforcement teams, commonly known as the “Red Ants”, were stopped from carrying out evictions.
The farmers claim the interference came from the Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality, and that people acting on the instructions of the current Mayor, Cllr Eddie Maila, prevented the removal of occupiers.
The beneficiaries further allege that some senior municipal councillors and officials have personal interests in the land, which they say explains the municipality’s involvement.
Attempts to raise the matter locally have also failed. Freddy Selahle, one of the affected farmers, said they approached FTLM Ward 13 Councillor, Nkwele Nchabeleng, but he refused to address their concerns.
“We are paying for land that we cannot access or work,” one beneficiary said.
Selahle and other beneficiaries say they are worried about the future of the scheme. He said the group is grave concerned that it has held lease agreements with the Department of Rural Development since 2001, but illegal invasions have made it impossible to farm.
Financial concerns are compounding the problem. Farmers say R40 million was allocated to assist emerging farmers at Tswelopelo. Of that, R4.5 million was reportedly spent on consultants, while the whereabouts of the remaining funds are unknown.
The continued occupation, they argue, is undermining agricultural production in an area meant to support emerging farmers and food security.
The beneficiaries are now calling on the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, the provincial government and law enforcement to enforce the 2018 court order and allow them full access to the land they lawfully lease.
At the time of going to press, the FTLM could not respond to the publication’s enquiries.