Deputy Minister Skwatsha visits Eastern Cape farms
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha accompanied by Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth visited three farms in the Amathole District yesterday
The DM is in province engaging in a week-long visit that see him and the MEC visiting farmers that also include Chris Hani and OR Tambo.
The visit covered Hopewell , Sunnyside in East London and Woodburn farms in Alice where he met communities, farmers and he listened to their complaints .
In two separate meetings held with community from Witney, Goodhope and Woodburn farms and the family owning Woodburn, DM stressed that “all issues raised should be solved harmoniously.”
The DM visited the farm following the “escalation of the challenges” through a letter submitted to him by MEC Meth after she visited the community and the farmers in March.
“We don’t want to be here next year and not come with solutions. We will be bringing solutions here.
” What should happen here is land rights enquiry. We humbly ask you to allow our officials to do that process first so that this matter is solved solved within no time ,” he said.
MEC Meth echoing DM’s commitment in responding to people’s needs said: “We have come here to listen to you don’t think that nothing will happen. Don’t despair and don’t look down at this visit, as government will assist you.”
The bone of contention is between the Gxothiwe family and the descendants of farm workers who claim the land occupied by the Gxothiwe’s belong to them but this is being disputed by the Gxothiwe’s.