Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Estelle Ellis
Published on 2024-03-10 20:36:00
The Western Cape High Court recently made a ruling to restore possession of two farms in Beaufort West to a group of award-winning wool farmers after government officials unlawfully took the land and handed it over to other individuals claiming to be beneficiaries of the land reform program. Joshua Bezuidenhout, one of the farmers affected, expressed his dismay at how their land was taken away overnight without due process. Bezuidenhout, along with his brother Herold Bezuidenhout and Jan Bergh, had been diligently working on Nuveld Farming Empowerment Enterprises for the past two decades, with plans to expand their operations and create job opportunities.
The farmers sought legal representation from the Legal Resources Centre and took the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development to court to challenge the decision to deny them a 30-year lease on the farms. The court, presided over by Judge Gayaat Salie, found that the officials did not follow the required procedures to allocate the farms to new beneficiaries, and their actions were deemed illegal.
The Nuveld farmers, who are descendants of former farmworkers, had built a successful sheep farming operation, receiving accolades for the quality of their wool in national auctions. Despite their proven track record, the government denied them the 30-year lease they had applied for, leading to a legal battle.
The court’s ruling also included an interdict against the department to prevent any further allocation of the farms until a review of the decision not to award the lease to the farmers is completed. The government’s argument that the farmers were not in undisturbed possession of the land was refuted by Judge Salie, who highlighted the successful operations of the Nuveld farmers and their clear ownership of the farms.
The ongoing dispute between the Nuveld farmers and the government officials, particularly Lubabalo Mbekeni, has brought to light the complexities of land reform and the challenges faced by emerging farmers. The farmers have faced unwarranted allegations and attempts to undermine their access to the farmland, leading to a protracted legal battle to protect their rights.
Despite the hurdles they have faced, the Nuveld farmers remain resilient in their efforts to secure their land and continue their successful farming operations. The court’s decision to restore possession of the farms to the rightful owners is a significant victory for the farmers and a step towards addressing the injustices they have endured.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
