Agriculture and Land Committee to conduct oversight in Gwatyu in Eastern Cape

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will tomorrow begin a week-long oversight visit to Gwatyu in the Eastern Cape. This follows a committee resolution in December 2021 to visit the area after it received complaints from the community, traditional leaders and former farmworkers regarding the rightful ownership of land.

Details of the oversight are as follows:
Tuesday, 1 February 2022
8:30 to 13:30 meeting with King Dalimvula Matanzima (AbaThembu Royal House) where the committee will receive a historical account of the displacement of communities from Gwatyu. Thereafter there will a briefing session with government departments, Chris Hani Local Municipality and civil society organisations at Qamata Great Place.
14:00 to 17:00 transect walk to selected farms, residences and projects.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022
8:30 to 10:30 meetings with leadership of affected parties at Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development at 66 Prince Alfred Street, Queenstown,
11:00-13:00 meeting with the amaTshatshu Royal and Traditional Council at the Gwatyu Royal House.
14:30 to 17:00 Community meeting with those living on Gwatyu farms: insights on the effect of the current situation and exploring mechanisms to resolve the impasse.

Thursday – 3 February 2022
10:00 – 13:00 Concluding session and responses from stakeholders and proposals for the way forward. Presentation of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s action plan.

For enquiries on the programme for the week and interviews with the Chairperson, members of the media can contact the media officer.

Source: Government of South Africa