July 2001 Africa News Headlines

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 - Web posted at 9:17:41 GMT

PAC to continue fight for landless

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's Pan Africanist Congress vowed yesterday to continue their "fight" for the landless despite harsh criticism from rival political parties.

Party spokesman Ike Molefe said in a statement that the land question was one of the "fundamentals" the liberation movement had to tackle if there was to be peace and stability in the country."

"The method of solving the land issue will be determined by the degree of resistance opposed by those who own large tracts of land while the majority are landless and land hungry," Molefe said.

Last week officials linked to the PAC allegedly "sold" land to squatters at Bredell near Kempton Park for R25 a plot.

The squatters were evicted after the land's owners, the government, Transnet, the company Groengras Eiendomme and servitude holder Eskom obtained an order for them to leave.

The African National Congress, Democratic Alliance and SA Communist Party criticised the PAC for "selling" the plots and accused it of using the landissue as an opportunity to garner votes.

"The PAC will not be intimidated by the flurry of vicious attacks from the government and liberal and rightwing parties."

"If the government does not act quickly enough to meet the expectations and aspirations of the landless, this may lead to desperation and other methods being resorted to," Molefe said. - Nampa-Sapa

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