Nod for land grab probe

SIU to put department under microscope over allegations of unfair farm redistributions

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been given the green light to probe allegations of unlawful conduct in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. This after President Jacob Zuma signed a proclamation yesterday allowing the probe into the department’s acquisition of farms and the alleged unfair distribution of them to beneficiaries.

In November last year, at least two dozen farms were returned to the department after a similar SIU investigation.

At the time, National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams said they had obtained 29 preservation orders for farms worth close to R500 million. Of the 29 farms, 25 were returned to the department following probes by the SIU and Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The latest probe comes as Small Business Development Minister and head of the ANC’s drafting committee, Lindiwe Zulu, said that after 23 years of governance the ANC realised that it needed to do things differently, particularly on the land question.

“The land redistribution has become a really, really critical issue. It’s not critical because of the ANC, but because ordinary people of South Africa… they need the land,” she said at a briefing during the ruling party’s fifth national policy conference in Johannesburg.

Zulu, who is also Zuma’s former envoy on the Zimbabwean political impasse, said the land issue had become high on the agenda because “people are realising now that we had certain policies that helped us to a certain level”, but those same policies had weaknesses.

“It is time for us to re-look into how we can make sure the land is redistributed to the people who work it, and make sure that even when it comes to property – those that need to be given their property must be given (it),” said Zulu.

Journalists asked Zulu whether the policies being mooted or implemented by the governing party would not scare away investors. The ANC was fully cognisant of its actions and the effects thereof, she responded.

“At the end of the day, the interest is about the people of South Africa. I think that the investors themselves, wherever they invest anywhere in the world, they always have to consider the conditions of the people of the country. National interests come first for us. It is unsustainable when we do not address the challenges faced by the majority.”

Zulu said investors’ resources were better secured in a country with peace, security and prosperity.

“For us as to pretend our communities are still not struggling because we have to feed the investors… is going to create a big problem for us. We are, however, conscious of the fact we live in a global world and there are things which are globally accepted and… unacceptable.

“We are pleading with everyone who knows the history of South Africa, knows the majority were left out – let us carry them along with us. We are also conscious that we are not under socialism, this is capitalism … but let the uniqueness of South Africa be understood.”