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The DA in the Greater Kokstad municipality welcomes the recent action taken by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in removing more than 500 illegal structures on the Buildfontein Farm.

This comes after the DA submitted parliamentary questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, about the plight of emerging black farmers in the Kokstad area in August 2022 (view here, here and here ).

DA public representatives conducted an oversight at the Buildfontein Farm in Kokstad to see the land invasion and speak to both the beneficiaries and surrounding neighbours who have been fighting to stop the invasion.

This is a significant step towards upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of the intended beneficiaries of state projects.

We commend the tireless efforts of all DA public representatives who have been working diligently to ensure that justice is served for the emerging black farmers in the Kokstad area. Their unwavering commitment to the cause has been an inspiration to all of us.

It is heartening to see that our collective efforts have paid off and that justice has been served.

We hope that this will serve as a deterrent to anyone who seeks to undermine the rule of law and infringe upon the rights of others.

We urge the government to do more to protect the rights of emerging farmers and to ensure that they receive the support they need to succeed.

It is our duty as South Africans to work together towards a brighter future for all. The Greater Kokstad municipality was slow to act in this regard and has only done so due to sustained pressure from the DA and the courts.

Issued by Councillor Bradwyn Marnce - DA Greater-Kokstad Caucus Leader