Revised tenure law will stop evictions
FARM evictions will quickly become a thing of the past.
Media reports on public hearings regarding the revised Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Bill by parliament’s portfolio committee on Rural Development and Land Reform has brought a sigh of relief to all farm dwellers.
The purpose of the public hearings is to allow members of the public, particularly those who reside on farms, to make inputs on the bill.
In terms of what the law requires, it has been noted recently how essential public hearings are in the wake of the recent Constitutional Court ruling that declared the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act of 2014 invalid due to lack of adequate public consultation before ratifying it into law.
By giving more thought on the sections of the bill that are perceived to have limitations, the portfolio committee has shown its pro-activity in keeping in touch with the contextual dynamics within which the bill will be used.
The review of the bill will provide latitude in addressing gaps by strengthening ways to regulate evictions and handling disputes between land occupiers and land owners. According to the portfolio committee spokesperson, the bill is replete with weaknesses and limitations in its broad definition of occupier of land and residence.
The purpose of revising the bill seeks to clarify what is meant by the occupier and resident as well as to specify institutions authorised to handle disputes between the occupiers and land owners.
This will not only deepen the security of tenure of farm workers, but will also protect their rights in performing salient obligations like visiting or erecting a tombstone as well as performing family rituals on the graves without any undesirable interference from the farmer.