Chair, hon Minister, the ACDP supports the government's determination to continue to prioritise poverty alleviation, and in view of the high levels of poverty which persist in rural areas, we applaud the new focus on rural development. These efforts, we hope, will prosper rural inhabitants and communities, and help stem the flow of people to cities in search of work. A lack of access to land, however, is still cited as a major contributor to rural poverty, making the remaining outstanding land claims a definite concern.
In order to meet its 30% target, the department needs to redistribute at least 3,2 million hectares of white-owned agricultural land every year between now and 2014. This is clearly not possible on the budget before us.
The ACDP notes the additional budget for staff capacity, and expects the department to proactively utilise this not only to seek out suitably qualified personnel, but for departmental training to develop and achieve the required level of skills. The ACDP is concerned by conflicting reports creating confusion and delays, despite assurances that market value should be paid for property. A 12 000 hectare property valued by the department at just over R3 million in 2007 has received an offer of R1,2 million from government. According to a provincial land claims commissioner, the reduction of prices applies to all farms and not just this one.
The ACDP believes that negotiating in bad faith places land restitution and redistribution programmes in jeopardy. With funds allocated to land acquisition being persistently scaled back, questions are being raised as to government's intentions regarding purchasing of land. Both land claimants and the agricultural community require a speedy conclusion of claims to restore confidence and regain peak production for food security.
Regrettably, the ACDP sees this budget as inadequate to meet capacity requirements, to achieve targets of redistributing land and for making restitution. The ACDP therefore cannot support Vote 27 as it stands.