Answering questions in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Mabuza said South Africans should guard against “those who want to divide us” on the land issue with narratives that whites were being punished.
“We must desist from using land to fan the flames of hatred,” Mabuza said, adding that the government had in fact been encouraged by white farmers and business leaders who had chosen to work with it over the land reform issue.
“A well-managed land reform programme will pose no threat to the agricultural sector and the economy in general,” Mabuza said.
He added that “comprehensive support” would be provided to emerging farmers, and that “commercial farmers have made themselves available to support emerging farmers.”
Mabuza insisted that the government was committed to orderly land reform.
“There is no need for anyone to be apprehensive about our approach to land reform,” he said.
According to the country’s second in command, “land reform will remain a national imperative and, therefore, will remain a priority.
“Pursuing this programme, we are pursuing justice” within the confines of the constitution and rule of law, and land grabs would not be tolerated.