Mashatile: Land redistribution being fast-tracked

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has told Parliament that government is doing everything it can to fast-track the redistribution of land.

He says around 700,000 hectares of state land has been set aside for this purpose.

“The National Assembly has passed the Appropriation Bill which is currently under consideration at the NCOP," he said.

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"However, the government has made the following interventions already -- 700,000 [hectares] of state land was identified for redistribution."

While opposition parties aren’t averse to land redistribution, they want to know how it’s going to be done. 

Corruption is also a concern, something the deputy president says will be addressed.

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But he stressed that recipients of agricultural land must use it wisely and be active on it.

Mashatile also took a swipe at failing coalition governments in several of the country’s metros, saying the political groupings need to set aside their arguments and put people first.

“Coalition governments should be bound by a commitment to good governance with no tolerance for corruption," he said.

* eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports.