Parliament, Wednesday, 12 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development today received a joint briefing from the Surplus People Project, Corruption Watch, the Legal Resources Centre and the Support Centre for Land Change on the petition regarding farm worker equity schemes.
The committee heard that the majority of schemes have not delivered on their promises, as reflected in the lived reality for beneficiaries of the schemes. Civil society organisations, speaking on behalf of farmworkers, said that over R700 million was invested but there has been no return on the investment. They also said that “farm workers were made symbols while others cashed in on their names”, thus alleging that these schemes are a front. A number of beneficiaries have died in poverty and their descendants are still living in poverty with no security of tenure. Of 88 schemes launched from 1996 to 2008 only nine ever declared dividends.
The non-governmental organisations represented in the meeting asked the committee to ask the department to implement the Zalo Capital report recommendations. In addition, they called for a forensic audit of the schemes and they called on the committee to ensure oversight is conducted across the country and that transparency is enforced.
Members of the committee also highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to considering the petition, including a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, as the farm worker equity schemes involve large-scale commercial agriculture.
The committee Chairperson, Mr Albert Mncwango, said the way forward must include site visit to a sample of the equity schemes, as well as meetings with affected stakeholders including agribusiness and relevant government departments. Thereafter a report will be tabled in the National Assembly.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR ALBERT MNCWANGO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Liaison Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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