R700 million, 9 payouts: farmworkers scheme under investigation in the Cape

by | Apr 15, 2026

Western Cape farm equity schemes, land reform investigation South Africa, farmworker dividends, agricultural equity schemes failure, land reform corruption, Portfolio Committee Land Reform inquiry, farmworker share schemes South Africa, Velorenvlei sale Sandveld, land reform transparency issues, farm equity mismanagement South Africa
Parliament probes Western Cape farm equity schemes over mismanagement, dividends, and failed benefits for workers

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Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Land Reform has called for a special investigation into the farm equity schemes in the Western Cape following oversight visits to areas including Tulbagh, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, and Ceres. The committee is looking into whether these programmes delivered fair outcomes for farmworkers after concerns were raised about how the schemes were managed over time.

The inquiry focuses on 88 schemes established between 1996 and 2008, in which more than R700 million was invested, yet only 9 have reportedly paid out dividends. Farmworkers have told officials that they received little or no benefit from the schemes, and in some cases said they were encouraged to sell their shares at low prices or never saw returns at all, even after years of participation.

Lawmakers have raised concerns about possible mismanagement, corruption, and a lack of proper monitoring and transparency. The programme was halted in 2009 and later revived in 2010, but the revival did not achieve much. The committee is now also examining specific share sales, including cases involving farmland such as Velorenvlei in the Sandveld, which was allegedly sold to a Belgian businessman.

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