700 jobless as once-productive farms lie abandoned

Some 700 people have lost their jobs after people who won their land claims in KwaZulu-Natal’s Pongola area failed to use the once-productive farms, the DA said on Tuesday.

The situation has angered farmers who now suggest they should be allowed to rent the unused farms while the matter is being addressed.

The Democratic Alliance called on the newly-appointed agriculture MEC Lydia Johnson to urgently intervene.

"The farms, which now lie abandoned, form part of a battle raging between King Goodwill Zwelithini, land claimants and local farmers," said DA spokesperson on agriculture, Makhosazana Mdlalose.

She said the land had been left to lie uncultivated after claimants, who won their claims three years ago, chose not to occupy the farms.

Zwelithini's spokesperson Prince Mbonisi Zulu said the matter was being handled by government. He did not want to elaborate.

Mdlalose blamed the department of agriculture for failing to help new owners to run their farms.

"It is all very well to institute land reform. However, the concept cannot be placed higher on the agenda than that of supporting emerging farmers.

"There must be some form of investment in terms of training and resources by the department before the land reform process can truly be hailed a success in our country.”

Agriculture spokesperson Khulekani Ntshangase said the department was aware of the problem, saying it was one of their priorities.

"We know what the DA is talking about. We have plans in place and we will continue with them.

"We had a meeting with the Land Commission where we discussed how to ensure that farms are utilised after they have been transferred to new owners."

Mdlalose said she had learnt from farmers in Pongola that up to 700 people had lost their jobs.

"The situation has led to an increase in crime, along with a 70 percent drop in trade. It is unacceptable that farms, which until just a few years ago were producing effectively, are now empty," she said.