Thank you, Chairman.
Dit is 'n feit dat die Departement van Grondsake sukkel om teikens vir restitusie en grondhervorming te bereik. Elke jaar verhoog die aantal hektare wat nodig is om die teiken van 30% teen 2014 te bereik omdat die jaarteikens nie bereik word nie. Die afhandeling van restitusie eise is ook al reeds uitgestel tot 2008. Die onsekerheid van beide grondeienaars en eisers oor hulle regte, word verleng met 'n gepaardgaande opbou van frustrasie. Hierdie probleme word veroorsaak deur lomp administratiewe stelsels en 'n gebrek aan kapasiteit in die department. Dit is dus met verbasing dat ons by die DA kennis geneem het van die nuwe plan, om vyf miljoen hektaar grond te bekom vir die gebruik van plaaswerkers. Grondhervorming moet veral plaaswerkers bevoordeel, maar dit kan slegs slaag as die boerderygemeenskap hierin geken word. Die nuwe plan, aangekondig sonder dat ander belanghebbendes geraadpleeg is, lyk al te veel na 'n verkiesingsfoefie vir die volgende algemene verkiesing in 2009. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.)
[It is a fact that the Department of Land Affairs is struggling to cope with targets for restitution and land reform. Every year the hectares required to meet the target of 30% set for 2014, are increasing as the annual targets are not attained. The finalisation of restitution claims has also been postponed to 2008. This uncertainty of both the landowners and claimants regarding their rights is prolonged with the concomitant build-up of frustration. These problems are caused by inept administrative systems and a lack of capacity in the department. We in the DA were therefore surprised at the new plan to acquire five million hectares of land for use by farm workers. Land reform should particularly benefit farm workers. However, this can only succeed if the farming community is consulted. The new plan, announced without other role-players being consulted, certainly looks like an election ploy for the next general election in 2009. Thank you.]