MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - What effect will land claims have on the community and business? Will land be expropriated? On what basis will landowners be taxed?

Questions like these will be discussed at a special meeting of the MEC for Agriculture, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi and the Chairpersons Association (CA) on April 7.

The CA announced that Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, as well as Mr Sam Moeti, the Mayor of the Vhembe Municipal District, will pay a courtesy visit to the CA on April 7 at 18:00 at the Church Hall of the Soutpansberg Dutch Reformed Church opposite Louis Trichardt High School.

The purpose of the meeting is that the MEC for Agriculture desires to find out what practical problems the farmers are experiencing with the land claims and with business in this area.

Questions also arise whether the Government will expropriate the land of landowners and, if so, under what circumstances? Could this happen where there are no merits in the land claims? What will the basis of compensation to the landowners be if this happens? On what basis will landowners be taxed? In the event of restitution and/or expropriation and/or willing sales, what will the position be with special reference to VAT, capital gains tax and income tax?

The MEC also expressed her wish to hear the views of the community in respect of safety and security.

General and specific questions and concerns of all stakeholders may be posed to the MEC during the meeting. Questions will be posed on a non-political basis since the CA is a non-political organization.

The MEC assured the CA that she will try her utmost to re-spond to all questions asked, and if necessary and possible, she will respond later in writing.

During the meeting, the views of the CA will also be given in respect of good corporate governance. Response from the MEC and Mr Sam Moeti will be requested.