MAHKADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – Local roleplayers in Agriculture are formally requesting a meeting with the MEC to discuss urgent matters regarding land affairs, sustainable production, food security, and agricultural matters in general.

This formal request by the TAU-SA Soutpansberg District office, the Levubu Farmers Association and the Louis Trichardt Farmers Association, was brought to the attention this week after the controversial Sunday meeting of the past weekend.

The Chairperson of the TAU-SA Northern Region, Mr Dries Joubert, in a media statement thanked the MEC, Mrs D Magadzi for her “kind invitation to attend the meeting which was held on April 17.”

The MEC was informed in a letter, dated 14 April, that members of the Agricultural Union would not be able to attend the meeting on 17 April, for the following reasons:

* The meeting is to be held on Sunday – a holy day and a day of rest.

* The correct channels had not been followed.

* The notice time was short and all members could therefore not be informed in time.

* Attention is drawn to the fact that the land claims are against the Government and not against farm owners and there is therefore no need for a meeting between land owners and land claimants.

* No agenda for the proposed meeting had been provided.

Mr Joubert, in a statement released this week, said that the door for discussion is still open. He referred to the combined letter by various local stakeholders in Agriculture, and said he hoped that the office of the MEC would be willing to meet with the TAU-SA Northern Region.

In further reaction to the Sunday meeting, the chairperson for the Louis Trichardt Farmers Union, Mr Fritz Ahrens, said land owners are concerned that legitimate concerns are not dealt with. He expressed concern about the ability of the Land Claims Commissioner to solve problems. He referred to statements by SANCO that they will occupy land Zimbabwe-style if their demands are not met. He said that, although the MEC indicated that those who broke the law would experience the might of the law, he was not convinced.

“The MEC did nothing to stop the Zimbabwe-style land invasion near Louis Trichardt during December 2004. The local Municipal Manager played an active role in this land invasion and no action was taken against her,” he said.