No need to panic

WE REGRET that the Australian government chose not to use the available diplomatic channels to raise concerns or to seek clarification on the land redistribution process in South Africa.

Those channels remain open and available for all governments to engage the South African government.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is, however, engaging with the Australian government on this matter.

It must be stated again that President Cyril Ramaphosa, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu have said on a number of public platforms and also when engaging with different stakeholders that the process of land redistribution will be orderly, within South African law and will take into consideration both its social and economic impact.

We call on organisations such as AfriForum which are spreading incorrect information and sowing panic to refrain from doing so.

The government has been clear and transparent on the land reform process and the matter is before Parliament. All stakeholders will be consulted. There is no reason for any government anywhere in the world to suspect that any South African is in danger from their own democratically elected government. That threat simply does not exist. Ndivhuwo Mabaya Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesperson