Land Reform and Resdistribution
Category Property News
Land Reform, SAPOA, September 2018
Land Reform and Redistribution
…”We believe that the ANC has committed to defend property rights and is clearly concerned about the impact that talk of expropriation without compensation is having on the economy and investor sentiment. We need to also be mindful of the fact that whilst the EFF believes that nationalizing all land is the correct mechanism to address land reform, the ANC does not. Whilst we call for the protection of productive agricultural land, we are in favour of land owned by parastatals in cities to be a priority. So too do we call for abandoned buildings in city centres to be expropriated. Mayor Mashaba’s recent focus on Johannesburg’s inner city requires support. Plots of land owned by state-owned enterprises in the main cities are excellent opportunities to bring people closer to working opportunities and also solve some of the housing backlogs. Expropriation is a mechanism for breaking a deadlock, whether you compensate is a different matter. The possible expropriation of 2 farms in Limpopo form the basis of testing the Constitution on the matter of expropriation, where the courts will ultimately decide on the matter. Finally, talk of amending the Constitution or introducing new legislation is what it is, talk. Any amendment to the Constitution will face very complicated, intricate and protracted Constitutional and legislative obstacles, which can take years. It is reasonable to suggest that the way this matter will be settled, will follow close on the heels of the kind of dispensation that South Africa is aßœ Constitutional democracy. Expropriation carried out with the intensity that is contrary to the Constitution would destroy South Africa’s economy as it did in Zimbabwe. What is happening so far is what happens in a democracy, not in an authoritarian state.
Let’s hope this plays out that way.
Best regards,
Neil Gopal,
Author, from the desk of the CEO
SAPOA
Author: SAPOA
