Mpumalanga Mirror April 2021 Edition

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4 News Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021 Mpumalanga submits input on Expropriation Bill JABULANE KHUMALO Mpumalanga was the second province to be visited by the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure for Public Hearings on the Expropriation Bill. The four-day public consultation programme held under strict Covid-19 guidelines in the province kicked off from April 15 at Bushbuckridge Local Municipality followed by Mbombela Local Municipality the following day. On April 17, the hearings were held in Msukalikwa Local Municipality and concluded in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. The purpose was to gather input from the public on the Expropriation Bill to revoke the existing Expropriation Act of 1975 to provide a common framework in line with the Constitution. This is to guide the processes and procedures for expropriation of property by organs of state and to provide for certain instances where expropriation with zero compensation may be appropriate in the public interest. The plight of farm dwellers dominated the Public Hearing in Msukaligwa Local Municipality. The committee said it will refer all allegations of human rights abuse against farm dwellers to the relevant committees in Parliament. While residents expressed their support of the bill, they also pointed out to the committee about the severe living conditions on the farms. They added that they hoped the legislation will rescue them from the abuse by landowners. The plight of farm dwellers dominated the Public Hearing in Msukaligwa Local Municipality African National Congress’s, Committee Chairperson NolithaNtobongwana, said all views and submissions that did not belong to the committee will be referred to the relevant committees in Parliament. Although the Bill received some opposition and support at Mbombela, some participants expressed concern over Chapter 5 of the draft legislation which mentions compensation for expropriation and they called for that part to be removed from the Bill. Some participants told the committee that the Bill was not explicit in its definition of the concept of “public purpose and public interest.” Submissions from various stakeholders including traditional leaders, organisedlabour, farmers and civic organisations, among others made their submissions in Bushbuckridge and Thembisile Hani. There were mixed feelings from community members, with some supporting the draft legislation while others felt that processing the Bill should be put on hold until Parliament has concluded amending Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation. Minster of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane addressing the youth during a Tourism Imbizo. “FULFILL YOUR PROMISES IN ORDER TO UPLIFT COMMUNITY” - YOUTH TELL GOVERNMENT YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO EMBALENHLE- Young people called on government to fulfill its promises for communities to be uplifted. This was at a Tourism Youth Imbizo recently hosted by the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi- Ngubane, as well as Govan Mbeki Local Municipality with the African National Congress Parliamentary Constituency Office. Participants were given a platform to raise their concerns on various issues from youth unemployment, substance abuse and opportunities that exist within the MBOMBELA – Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and the Executive Councilheld their first physical meeting since the advent of COVID-19 pandemic and made landslide decisions that will foster efficient governance from provincial and local government entities. It was resolved during that meeting after receiving the audit report on the provincial government and as part of its mandate, to ensure good governance, the Executive Council will execute the rotation of all Chief Financial Officers and Senior Supply Chain managers. It’s been reported that this is in an effort to remove bottlenecks that are embedded in institutions by familiarity. The decision is also informed by the recent audit outcomes released by the Auditor General highlighting poor internal controls, amongst others, as a reason for poor audit outcomes. In the same vein during the same meeting, it was resolved to place Lekwa Local Municipality under administration in accordance with the provisions of Section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution. This decision is informed by the instability in the Council that has adversely impacted the delivery of services.A team from the Provincial Government, led by an administrator, will be stationed at the municipality to ensure that it functions and restore services to the people. The Executive Council resolved tourism sector. Speaking during the question and answer session, was a group of youths who expressed disappointment in government. Among them, was MphoNzale who said many young people feel they are excluded from programmes and at most times, are never informed about events or developmental programmes taking place. “We are a generation that is exposed to a whole lot of things, yet opportunities are limited. It’s not like there’s nothing to showcase or that we do not want to be professionals one day. We are aspiring leaders and wish to accomplish more, but Executive Council makes landslide decisions to conduct, through the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), an investigation in accordance with the provisions of section 106 (1) (b) of the Municipal Systems Act upon Dipaliseng Local Municipality based in Balfour.. This follows the receipt of a number of complaints by COGTA related to financial mismanagement at the Municipality. However, the Executive Council applauds the municipality for its efforts in trying to rid itself from corruption and working together with the provincial government to ensure clean governance. On the positive side, the Executive Council has resolved to uplift the intervention at the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality. It received a progress report on the intervention at the municipality, and noted the positive developments at the municipality. It’s been reported that the Municipality has returned to financial and administrative stability, this has resulted in the municipality being able to deliver basic services to the people of Dr JS Moroka. The work done at the municipality by the administration shows the commitment of the Provincial Government in making sure that municipalities serve communities. This municipality will serve as a benchmark for the provincial government in its bid to restore municipalities. information is not shared accordingly.” Former substance abuser, JomoMotaung pleaded with officials to consider recovering addicts for opportunities, stating that most are often discriminated against, especially in communities. The minister emphasised on the importance of rehabilitation with reintegration. “Rehabilitation is not just a journey, but a process and others are not accepted in their communities because of their mistakes in their past. We need to consider them as well and work around programmes for everyone to fit in,” said Kubayi- Ngubane. Child Support Grant (CSG) is meant for the child’s basic needs MBOMBELA – The South African Social Security Agency reiterates that the child support grant is aimed at assisting parents to provide basic needs of the child. Parents or guardians who misuse the child support grant are violating the right of a child and expected healthy living. According to SASSA’s provincial spokesperson, SeneniNgubeni, “Any deviation from the purpose of supporting the child’s needs according to the Social Assistance Act, will be deemed as abuse or neglect to the child and classified as a criminal act, which is punishable by law. “Good parenting and ubuntu values of society must not allow anyone witnessing such to keep quiet whether within a family, neighbour and in communities. Starving a child due to parents or guardians’ social needs is a destruction to the future of the country. “A child support grant payment must be received by a person who takes care of a child on a daily basis. If the grant is received by the parent who does not stay with a child and not transfer the money to the care giver, that person must be reported to SASSA offices and also open a criminal case at the local police station. “Requirements to receive CSG must be a primary caregiver (the person responsible for the child), South African citizen or permanent resident, If you are single receiving less than R4 000 per month and if you are married and getting R8 000 per month combined. “The child, to qualify, must be under 18 years old, not be in the care of the state institution and live with the primary care giver in South Africa, who is not paid to look after the child. “For more information contact our toll free number: 0800 60 10 11 from 08:00-16:00 during week days Monday to Friday,” he concluded.
Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021 News 5 MEC MSIBI HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH FARM UNIONS BONGANI HLATSHWAYO MABOLA – While eyes are focussed on the ongoing bail application for the four farmers accused for the death of Amos and ZenzeleCoka on 9 April at Pampoenkraal Farm on the outskirts of Piet Retief town in GertSibande District, back home, activists who have been directly affected by real-life circumstances of living on the farms, are hell-bent that the duration and end of the trial will bring about change to people living on the farms. One such activist, is my namesake, Henry Bongani Hlatshwayo, no relations. He is the founder of the Farm Workers Association whose objective is to create a cordial relationship between farm dwellers, Land reform and rural development, police and the community. “The main issues that we have here are first and foremost, a lack of respect from the farm owners. Most of the time, the farm owners lack respect for the community. Each time the community raises any problem, it’s always met with hostility. “On many occasions, the community here at Pampoenkraal Farm have raised the issue with the owner, Mr Greyling to approach other stakeholders in order to improve their living conditions. For instance, there’s a lack of clean running water here being directed to our homesteads, but no, he doesn’t co-operate in that regard. “We also lack proper housing built from bricks as we live in mud and stick houses. We also need free grazing land for our cattle because the farm owners limit the number of cattle we can have. If you have more than the required number of cattle, then you have to pay extra tax for them. “The community always raises such disputes against these farmers, which, more often than not, leads to direct confrontation between the two parties,” explained Hlatshwayo. Probed further about cases lying dormant in courts and police stations, he added: “Most of Community leader Henry Bongani Hlatshwayo. the time these farmers never report their cases at police stations, but they take their disputes to the district commissioner in Piet Retief, who is white thus undermining the local authorities within our vicinity. “Here at Mabola, we have a black Captain who is in charge of the local police station. It transpires that what the white farmers reported to the district commissioner is different from the evidence the local police stations have, which confuses the whole situation,” he said. On this particular matter he added; “On 10 September 2020, the local community had a list of demands during a peaceful march. They handed over their demands to the farmers. We waited for his response, which prolonged until we sent him a letter demanding a response to the memorandum. “He replied and said they were waiting for legal advice on it on 10 December. After waiting a month more until March 2021, we held another meeting at Ezibayeni. He came and gave us a verbal report, but we said we can’t accept it but needed a written and signed report. We told him we would await his call to collect the letter. “So what transpired, the community, acting on his non-return with his report-back document, the people decided to launch a peaceful picket at the farm gate entrance. He never communicated with the picketing community, but only with the district commissioner, hence I received a call from the local police to desist the picketing at his gate. “We withdrew from picketing. On a Monday, I requested him to write the letter so that people can stop picketing, he wrote it eventually. On Tuesday 6 April I sent him a reply that the community wasn’t happy with this response and requested a meeting with him at a neutral venue with the police, department of land reform and the Madlanempisi Tribal Authority. “Three community members went to the farm and confronted him with a simple question: why are you bringing other people from neighbouring farms to do seasonal work at your farm when we’re available to do such. That was the main dispute they had with him. “His response was that he cannot be dictated to by anyone who to and not to employ at his farm. It was then that the whole scuffle took place as his accomplices kidnapped NhlanhlaHlatshwayo and locked him up at one of the farm sheds. “Meanwhile, Amos and Zenzele summoned the community to come to the rescue of their kidnapped colleague who was being assaulted inside there. That Hlatshwayo boy was an employee at the farm. By then, there had converged farmers from KZN, Free State and other places. “There were lots of white farmers at the time of the incident. They then started shooting preventing the community from apprehending their colleague. There was no march, nothing, but only three people went there to protect their seasonal jobs as we know best how to execute it,” lamented Hlatshwayo. On Monday 12 April while attending the first court appearance of Daniel Malan, 38, Cornelius Greyling, 26, OthardClingberg, 58, and Michael Steinberg, 31 and later joined by Patrick Yende, 48, I met a victim of a similar farm attack, who was one of the angry picketers outside the court. MlungisiNkambule from ward 10 in Key stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector were convened in a virtual roundtable discussion by MEC MandlaMsibi for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, including Management of the Department to reflect on the incidence which happened on 9 April at a farm inMkhondo Municipality. This was to engage Farmers’ Representatives on finding long lasting solutions to prevent similar incidents. This round table meeting is also part of the stakeholder engagements which started with the University of Mpumalanga and the Agricultural Research Council, respectively. The roundtable discussion with Organised Agriculture (the four Farmers Unions) which are African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA), Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TAU SA), National African Farmers Union (NAFU) and Mpumalanga Agriculture is aimed at laying foundation in transforming the Agricultural Sector in the Province. Addressing the meeting, MEC Msibi has highlighted the importance of the Agricultural Sector as an economic driver in the Province and the country at large as agriculture is life. “Before we all go to our respective places, be it at work or wherever, we all take breakfast, during the day we take lunch and in the evening we take supper, all that is agriculture that’s how important it is in the wellbeing of all human beings,” said MEC Msibi. The views of the Farmers Unions were that agriculture is one of the key economic drivers, therefore, it has to be protected by us all. The recent incident that took place in Mkhondo where two people were shot dead and one injured, was condemned, citing the importance of working together as stakeholders to avoid such incidents to occur. “Government should, as a matter of urgency, convene all key stakeholders if it happens that there are killings of both farmers and farm workers, rather than waiting for too long,” they alluded. The roundtable discussion has raised eight (8) Point Plan that needed to be attended to as a Wakkerstroom who was attacked by a group of white farmers in January 2021 during a funeral service at his homestead. Relating the incident, he said: “Many white farmers came to my homestead in many vehicles. We happened to take video footage of the incident. From the experience I come from being confronted by these commandolike attacks by these folks, I wish the current four accused notto be given bail. “As citizens living on the farms, we call on the court not to grant them bail and we also appeal to the national police commissioner that if people are brutally shot at a farm like they did with the Coka brothers, we won’t accept any mercy on the accused. “We also appeal to the national police commissioner to come and investigate the atrocities that occur at Wakkerstroom and put an end to it. There are far too many problems in our area, too.Whenthe police commissioner comes to our area, we will give him all the case numbers that we have of cases opened, but the cases do not proceed in the courts. “They are all at a standstill. There are cases of people who are already deceased with their cases being stalled here.Here n Wakkerstroom, we also have land that we claimed in 1998- 2000 and also in 2016. We have legitimate claim over that land and all that information is with the relevant authorities. “What’s surprising, when these farmers retaliate towards our resistance, farmer support is drawn from famers in KwaZulu- Natal, Northern Cape, Free State to confront us farm dwellers here in Mpumalanga. “What this means is that we have like izinkabi (commandos)who are used to kill people in conflict with any white farmer. What we request from the police commissioner, is for these commandos not to be granted bail. “Besides the attacks, as farm dwellers, we have too many problems which includes lack of clean running water from taps, there’s no electricity, there are no ablutions and toilets. It’s 27 years into democracy this year, we still don’t have these basic amenities,” pleaded Nkambule. ADVERTORIAL MEC MSIBI HOSTED ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH FARMERS UNIONS MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Mandla Msibi. matter of urgency before the Agricultural Summit that will involve all stakeholders planned to take place during the course of the financial year: • All Farmers Unions to revert back to their structures to brief them about the discussions and attitude of the roundtable discussion and resolutions taken. • The Heads of Departments for DARDLEA and COGTA to jointly convene an urgent meeting in two weeks’ time with all relevant Departments to develop a strategy in managing the risk and enhancement of cooperation around farmers, farm workers, Organised Agriculture, Labour Unions and Government. • When such Departments have been convened to develop the strategy and then come up with a programme for Civic Education to train Communities and all of us be it political or administrative. • Deal with transformation of the Sector, each and every Citizen to be proud and protect the Sector as transformation is not easy it needs conscious decisions. • Working with the Agricultural Research Council research on the Farm Dwellers on the value chain and attitude of people about agriculture and develop a Concept Document in two weeks’ time. • Fight Lawless across the board and to bring on board Safety and Security. • Land issue must be attended to as matter of urgency as Land Audit reflects that 67% of land is still in the hands of White Community. • Convene an Agricultural Summit in the next four to six months that will see the collaboration of different agricultural stakeholders with a common goal of radically transforming the Agricultural Sector in the Province. “For this initiative to be realized, there is a need for a radical transformation of the whole Agricultural Sector in the Province,” alluded Msibi. MEC Msibi concluded by highlighting that all the points be implemented by all stakeholders so that by the same time in the coming year, we should be making an assessment.
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