President Cyril Ramaphosa signs the Expropriation Bill into law, enabling the seizure of land without compensation for public purposes. The bill has sparked debate, with supporters emphasizing its role in addressing historical land inequalities and critics raising concerns about its potential impact on investor confidence and economic stability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Expropriation Bill into law, allowing for the seizure of land without compensation if it serves the public interest. The bill, initially passed by the National Assembly in 2020, faced opposition from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and certain civil society organizations.
The Presidency justified the legislation, stating that it empowers local, provincial, and national authorities to expropriate land for public benefit, including promoting inclusivity and access to natural resources. The Presidency emphasized that property expropriation can only occur if deemed in the public interest and preceded by negotiations with the landowner. According to the bill, an expropriating authority is obligated to engage in discussions with the property owner before resorting to expropriation, except in urgent situations requiring temporary use of the property. President Ramaphosa expressed that the bill ensures a fair process for land expropriation while balancing the need for land reform with property rights. He hailed it as a significant step towards addressing historical land inequalities and promoting equitable land redistribution.However, the bill has sparked concerns amongst some sectors. Bennie van Zyl, spokesperson for the farming union TLU, expressed apprehension that the Expropriation Bill will negatively impact investor confidence and economic stability in South Africa. He argued that the decision undermines the foundation of property rights, threatening not only farmers but all South Africans. He warned that the potential expropriation of agricultural land without adequate capacity for productive management could result in rising food prices and food shortages, ultimately affecting millions of South Africans.
LAND REFORM EXPROPRIATION SOUTH AFRICA PROPERTY RIGHTS ECONOMIC STABILITY
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