QUESTION 52

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:

13 NOVEMBER 2002

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 59

52. Mr. N J Clelland-Stokes (DP) to ask the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs:

(1) Whether, with reference to the reply by the Deputy President to Question No 59 for oral reply on 13 November 2002 (copy furnished), the research into the matter of foreign ownership of land in South Africa has been completed; if not, when will it be completed; if so (a) who conducted the research, (b) what methodology was used, (c) what percentage of (i) urban and (ii) rural land is owned by persons who are not permanent residents of South Africa and (d) what percentage of such (i) urban and (ii) rural land is suitable for low-cost housing;

(2) whether any estimate has been done on the value of the land owned by non-residents, if not, why not; if so, (a) what is that value and (b) what will the estimated loss in investment to South Africa be if such persons are forced to sell their land to South African residents;

(3) whether the Government intends taking any steps to prevent foreign ownership of land in South Africa, if so, what are the relevant details?

THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS:

(1)(a) The research is being conducted by the Department of Land Affairs primarily through its Policy Development Directorate located in the Office of the Director General, and is scheduled to be completed at the end of June this year.

(b) The methodology used is primarily the examination of deeds records and mapping of such information on the Geographic Information System (GIS). Literature review is also conducted by the same Directorate to compare and draw lessons from other countries.

(c) &(d) The figures that the Department of Land Affairs has at the moment are still being verified as their reliability is uncertain at this stage. According to the Deeds Office, the eleventh digit of the SA identity documents distinguishes a foreigner from a South African citizen. At present, pending a process of adjustment, all former TBVC citizens are classified on the system as foreigners. This means, therefore, that the data obtained from the Deeds Office on foreigners who own land in South Africa is unreliable as it includes former TBVC citizens.

(2) Estimates could not be concluded because the data on current land do not cover all the information necessary to make such conclusions. However, an attempt is being made using the data from the Deeds Office and the Department of Home Affairs to establish what the estimates are.

(i) and (ii) Fall away.

(3) No. It is, however, the intention of Government to develop a policy that will regulate but not necessarily prevent ownership of land by foreigners.