DLRRD suspends evictions as title deed roll-out gets under way

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) has suspended the issuing of letters of demand and eviction proceedings against farmers who have fallen behind on rental payments for state-owned farms.

By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming

The department is also in the process of re-establishing District Land Reform Committees, which are structures that played a key role during the tenure of former minister Gugile Nkwinti.

The acting Director-General of the DLRRD, Clinton Heimann, said the decision follows an instruction from Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to accelerate the transfer of land reform farms from leasehold arrangements to full ownership through title deeds.

Speaking at a recent National Livestock Farmers Association of South Africa (NaLFA-SA) gathering in Pretoria, Heimann said the department is reviewing its current leasehold policy to support the transition from leases to title deeds.

Also read: Auto-electrician turned farmer tops winner list – Sasol awards R700 000 in funding prizes

Six-month push towards title deeds

“The Minister has instructed officials to stop issuing letters of demand and planned evictions while we review the policy,” Heimann said.

“We are taking the President’s announcement very seriously and are looking at how quickly we can release title deeds within the framework of the existing guidelines.”

He said the department aims to begin rolling out title deeds within the next six months.

In the meantime, the department is considering issuing paid-up letters to farmers who are up to date with their lease payments while they wait for the transfer process.

Relief for farmers under pressure

Heimann acknowledged that many farmers have faced severe financial pressure in recent years because of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, floods and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We understand that these challenges have made it difficult for farmers to manage their lease payments,” he said.

He added that the recent separation of the land reform and agriculture portfolios has also slowed decision-making, as the department works to define its core mandate without duplicating the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture.

Also read: Yes, government got FMD response wrong; here’s how we can work closer with agriculture – Steenhuisen

District land committees set to return

According to Heimann, the committees will help identify suitable land for redistribution and recommend prospective beneficiaries based on established criteria.

“The idea is to return decision-making about land allocation to the district level with the involvement of local stakeholders,” he said.

Although the committees may not return in exactly the same format as before, Heimann said local participation would remain central to the process.

“We have noticed that, under the current system, people who are unknown to local communities are sometimes allocated farms. These committees can help improve accountability and strengthen the allocation process.”

Spatial planning challenges demand coordinated solutions

Heimann said the department is also considering the long-term implications of the National Spatial Development Framework 2050, which warns that South Africa faces significant demographic and infrastructure challenges if current trends continue.

He said projections indicate that most South Africans will live in urban areas by 2050, and the country could face water shortages of up to two billion cubic metres, increasing pressure on water infrastructure and the need for additional dams.

At the same time, population growth is expected to be driven largely by people under the age of 35, creating increased demand for jobs, services and economic opportunities.

“These are not only agricultural challenges but developmental challenges that require coordinated solutions,” Heimann said.

He noted that the DLRRD occupies a unique position within government because its mandate is at the intersection of land, people and development.

Also read: Parliament sounds alarm over Land Bank Blended Finance Scheme funding gap

Measuring success beyond hectares transferred

Heimann said the department’s future priorities include strengthening access to land and tenure security, accelerating investment in rural infrastructure and spatial development, and expanding opportunities for developing farmers to participate in agricultural value chains.

He stressed that the success of land reform should not be measured solely by the number of hectares transferred.

“The true measure of success lies in whether the land transferred supports sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

“Our responsibility is to ensure equitable access to land while strengthening tenure security and creating opportunities for meaningful participation in the economy.”

Also read: