The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses its deep concern over the recent ruling in the Mpumalanga High Court, which permitted mining operations on a farmer’s land in Delmas without a compensation agreement in place.
This decision sets a dangerous precedent, threatening South Africa’s agricultural sector, local communities, and the environment.
The DA strongly opposes any legal framework or ruling that compromises the rights of farmers and endangers the security of food production in the country. Allowing mining operations to proceed without binding compensation agreements undermines farmers’ ability to maintain their livelihoods and the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Consequences of Mining Without Compensation Agreements:
- Loss of Income and Livelihoods: Farmers risk losing access to their land, resulting in the destruction of crops and the loss of vital income for both farmers and their workers.
- Disruption of Farming Operations: Mining activities cause significant disturbances, such as noise, dust, and the movement of heavy machinery, which negatively impact crop production and livestock well-being.
- Threat to Food Security: Fertile farmland is crucial for local food production. Displacing farmers without compensation could reduce the availability of locally produced food, drive up food prices, and jeopardize food security.
- Environmental Damage: Mining operations, especially when unregulated, have the potential to degrade soil quality and contaminate water supplies, leaving farmland unsuitable for future agricultural use.
- Inequality and Legal Disadvantages: The lack of legal compensation agreements disproportionately benefits mining corporations, leaving farmers vulnerable and without the legal means to claim damages or recourse for the harm caused.
The DA stands firm in its commitment to protecting property rights and secure land ownership for all South Africans. It advocates for responsible land use policies that include fair compensation agreements, ensuring that landowners’ interests are safeguarded while promoting sustainable economic development.
The ruling allowing mining on farmland without compensation threatens the agricultural sector’s stability, and exacerbates inequality between large corporations and local farming communities.
The DA calls for immediate action from all stakeholders to push for stronger legal protections to ensure fair compensation for landowners, uphold the constitutional rights of farmers, and promote sustainable practices in both mining and agriculture.
The DA will continue to fight for the protection of landowners, especially those in rural and underdeveloped areas, to ensure equitable economic growth and long-term food security for South Africa.