Chairperson, the DA is concerned that the government is not fulfilling its constitutional mandate because it is not budgeting adequately for land reform and rural development. The R6,7 billion is too little to fully execute the department's mandate.
The department signed commitments and contracts with landowners worth over R3 billion. It allocated a mere R1,5 billion to the land restitution programme. Effectively, the land restitution programme can only use R800 million to buy farms. The department has shifted its focus from land restitution to land reform and rural development.
The restitution of land rights is a pillar of the Constitution to address land rights issues and, if it is not addressed urgently, it may cause havoc. The DA, therefore, is very concerned that the government is not honouring its commitment to priorities. Rural development and land reform remain on the back burner, and is not one of government's top priorities in terms of budget allocation.
The DA, in its alternative budget, recommended to government that it increase the budget by R3 billion. The government failed to increase the budget. The DA, therefore, will not support the Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]