Topic: LAND SEIZURES BEGIN IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER OWNERS REFUSE GOVT LOWBALL BUYOUT OFFER - REPORT

[YoNews]

LAND SEIZURES BEGIN IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER OWNERS REFUSE GOVT LOWBALL BUYOUT OFFER - REPORT

South African authorities have reportedly started seizing white-owned land after negotiations on buying out the properties stalled. The first seizures are targeting game farms in the Northern province of Limpopo.

The government had tried to buy the lands owned by Akkerland Boerdery Ventures for one-tenth of the land’s value, reports City Press, a Johannesburg-based news outlet. The company, which has been running a 3200 hectare (32 square kilometers) game farm, reportedly asked for 200 million rand ($18.7 million) for the land while the government was ready to offer them just 20 million rand.

“Notice is hereby given that a terrain inspection will be held on the farms on April 5, 2018 at 10 a.m. in order to conduct an audit of the assets and a handover of the farm’s keys to the state,” reads the letter received by Akkerland Boerdery earlier this year.

The land owners immediately tried to get an injunction to prevent expropriation until a court had ruled on the issue. However, the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs reportedly refused the application.

Source: LAND SEIZURES BEGIN IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER OWNERS REFUSE GOVT LOWBALL BUYOUT OFFER - REPORT