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The law would allow land to be confiscated without compensation if it is not used, is abandoned or poses a security risk.
South African Parliament in Cape Town. Image: EWN
JOHANNESBURG – A new expropriation bill, which sets out the conditions for when land could be confiscated without reimbursement, is before Parliament.
The law would allow land confiscation without compensation if it is not used, abandoned or presents a security risk.
The Chief Legal Advisor of the State certified the bill as constitutional. This paves the way for the next step in the process whereby the bill was published on Friday and presented to Parliament.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille said on Sunday that in some cases payments would be possible, but that the courts would have the final decision.
“Local, provincial and national authorities will use the legislation to expropriate in the public interest for valid reasons that seek, among others, to promote inclusion and access to natural resources,” De Lille said.
The government said the new expropriation bill would provide certainty to the country and investors.
Most of the privately owned land is in white hands and the African National Congress (ANC) has promised to speed up the redistribution.
The ruling party started a process in Parliament to amend the constitution and make it clear when an expropriation could be carried out without compensation.
Under the new law, authorities will have to negotiate with landowners to try to reach an agreement before it can be taken.
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