COSATU welcomes President Ramaphosa’s assenting to and promulgation of the Land Court Act

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the President, Cyril Ramaphosa's assenting to and promulgation into law, the Land Court Act.

COSATU supports the Act as it establishes a dedicated Land Court to handle land cases. This will help ensure that courts dealing with land matters have the necessary expertise, knowledge and understanding.

The Federation hopes the Land Courts will alleviate the perennial delays many land claimants, farm workers, labour tenants and their families face when lodging land restitution or farm evictions cases. This is a progressive step towards achieving the African National Congress led government's progressive commitments to ensuring all South Africans are afforded access to land.

If this Land Court is to achieve its progressive objectives, then government must ensure it is well resourced. It is also important that the Land Court does not sit solely in Johannesburg, but establishes Land Courts across all provinces, and in particular in rural areas.

It will be equally critical for the Departments of Justice; Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform; the Government Communications and Information Service, to work with COSATU and its Affiliates; as well as the South African Broadcasting Corporation and civil society to undertake mass education campaigns to ensure farm workers, labour tenants and land claimants are aware of the Land Court and are empowered to access it. We need to ensure that the progressive laws Parliament passes are actively implemented and felt on the ground in working class communities.

Issued by COSATU

For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator
Cell: 082 785 0687