An oversight visit to the R11.6 million Kroonstad Farmer Producer Support Unit (FPSU) has exposed why land reform in the Free State continues to fail, and why beneficiaries of land reform remain impoverished.
The High-Level Panel that assessed key post-1994 legislation, chaired by former President Kgalema Motlanthe, found that land reform in South Africa has failed due to corruption and patronage, a lack of political will and policy direction, and ineffective post-settlement support. Since the release of this report in 2017, land reform has continued to languish, whilst commercial farmers continue to bear the political burden through negative rhetoric.
Massive investment yields little return
Between 2020 and 2025, a total of R57,137,876 has been spent on FPSUs and Agri-Parks in the Free State. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has indicated through replies via the provincial MEC for Agriculture that the Kroonstad FPSU was partially operational in 2024, with the notable achievement being the construction of a security gate and guard house.
The Democratic Alliance oversight visit on 22 January revealed that the guard house had been vandalised, electricity connections and cables stolen, leaving behind a shell of decaying infrastructure. No equipment or tractors were present on site, with officials informing the delegation that a departmental official was keeping them on his private property.
Failed model continues despite evidence
Whilst property owners in the Free State, particularly farmers, continue attempting to conduct business under the threat of expropriation, the government continues to squander taxpayers’ money on a failed land reform model. This model, which includes vandalised and plundered FPSUs and Agri-Parks, drains funds at the expense of food production and food security.
Funds earmarked for farmer support across national and provincial government departments should now focus on assisting all farmers who are suffering substantial losses and business closures due to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which remains under state control. The livestock industry in the Free State, crucial for the provincial economy and employment, is under threat of collapse.
The findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive review of land reform policies and their implementation in the Free State.
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