House Chairperson,
In welcoming the opportunity to engage on this Budget Vote, the ACDP notes the R9.62 billion allocation to the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development for the 2026/27 financial year. While this figure appears substantial, the Portfolio Committee’s May 2026 report reveals that core land reform and restitution budgets have been cut, undermining the very mandate of this department.
Recent revelations from the Special Investigation Unit are deeply troubling: It has found R650 million in irregular matters, with 68 officials facing disciplinary action and 611 cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority. These scandals erode public trust and weaken the financial health of our economy, as funds meant for justice and restitution are diverted, through corruption and maladministration.
The Committee further highlighted 8,000 unresolved labour tenant cases and persistent capacity failures – vacancies, acting posts, and delayed systems. These failures mean that land redistribution targets remain far below national goals, perpetuating inequality and slowing rural economic growth.
The ACDP has consistently argued that land reform must be just, transparent, and economically sustainable. Without strong oversight and efficient delivery, rural communities remain trapped in poverty, and our broader economy suffers from instability in land ownership and agricultural productivity.
The ACDP calls for urgent corrective measures: stronger funding for restitution, tighter oversight of departmental spending, and swift appointments to fill critical vacancies. Only then can land reform serve both justice and economic health.
I thank you.
