President’s statement on land is misleading

President Cyril has now joined the list of percentage abusers in the land debate (Saturday Dispatch), quoting figures from the government’s discredited land audits.

What may be understandable for a politician such as the president of the ANC is not acceptable from the president of South Africa. Dishearteningly, Ramaphosa seems to be starting to follow his predecessor and think the two are the same, and late night broadcasts are the way to go.

State land is not 10% of South Africa as he says, it is an embarrassing 22%.

“. . . 72% of farms and agricultural holdings are owned by whites” – wrong. The land audit actually says whites own 72% of the 39% of land owned privately by individuals; which comes to 22% of land.

No one knows the area owned by whites (or any other racial group) because the Land Ownership audit fails to categorise 61% of privately owned land.

It is apparent to all that land reform needs radical improvement; whether expropriation without compensation is a viable method is yet to be seen.

But what expropriation without compensation cannot do is boost economic growth as the president keeps hoping.

Let’s imagine not just some but all white farmers are replaced by black farmers who are equally efficient. Agricultural output remains as is. The result is no economic growth at all.

The president’s statement that “government has embarked on a process of accelerated land reform” has an ominous north of the Limpopo ring to it. So drop the misleading economic growth line, stick to the real reasons of equality, justice, righting the wrongs of history; but use facts, not abused percentages. – Mike Coleman, Nahoon

Most of the Daily Dispatch’s past reports have projected the MEC of transport, safety & liaison as a pothole- taxiroad accident person, and I have wondered why.

I thought that now that former president Jacob Zuma is gone, the paper would zoom in on the criminal justice system in respect to it being captured. Perhaps a story or two on the drug lords in this province.

It is my belief that most crime is committed not because our people are hungry but to feed drug habits. I personally think the DD should try put some spotlight on lost dockets and tampered evidence in police and magistrate’s offices.

Maybe it is time the DD in its coverage of the aforementioned MEC also mention what her vision is in respect of crime in the province. To talk of investment and job creation in our province we need to talk of crime and the punishment therewith. – Anonymous