POLOKWANE - The Provincial DA leader, Mr Mike Holford, this week expressed his deep concern about recent developments regarding land reform in the Makhado area, in particular the protest which took place last week and which received coverage in the Mirror.

A memorandum from the ANC Vhembe region was delivered to the Ministry of Agriculture.

“There is no doubt that there must be a degree of land reform, but the bottom line is that we depend on our farmers to produce food and this production must not be compromised. For sure, the slow pace of it all is creating frustration and damaging our economy. But, there is a procedure in place. The memorandum makes it clear that the ANC Vhembe does not respect the procedures laid down by their own government,” Holford said.

Mr Holford said that most farmers have embraced the new South Africa and the concept of land reform, but that the ANC Vhembe memorandum demonizes the entire farming community.

“In a rash statement they draw devastatingly inaccurate (and totally insulting) comparisons between Nazi Germany and local farmers. The tone is one of incitement. This is very disturbing and would certainly raise eyebrows in the international arena to the point of jeopardising investment in our country,” Holford said.

“I have given the premier, for whom I have respect, several days to distance him from this issue or at least set the record straight. But, he has failed to confront the issue. I now call upon him to distance him from the behaviour, certain contents and the tone of the memorandum which was issued by the ANC Vhembe region. I ask him to ensure that people in positions of responsibility behave in a responsible manner. I ask him to show that he and his party respect the rule of law,” Holford added.

Holford said the memorandum and the circumstances surrounding it are at best immature and ignorant, and at worst bizarre and irrational. He said they are a very poor reflection on the ANC and its partners and that it is sad to imagine that this has emerged from the same organisation which so successfully and skilfully negotiated a peaceful settlement in South Africa.

“The farmers simply do not deserve this. Makhado does not deserve this. South Africa deserves better,” Holford said.