All indications are that the ANC will use land expropriation without compensation as an electoral play, says Free State Agriculture (FSA) president Francois Wilken. This, after Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that the ruling party would push through a new law to allow this – a year before South Africa’s general elections.
Wilken has hit back saying, “We remain opposed to the expropriation bill in its current form as it still provides an expectation for expropriation in the very broad public interest for land reform at nil compensation breaking down the very foundation of entrenched property.”
While Ramaphosa last weekend praised farmers in his address as the ANC leader, he also upset the apple cart with his remarks about the amendment of section 25 of the Constitution to allow expropriation without compensation.
“The passage of the expropriation bill this year, will enable expropriation of land without compensation where appropriate, that is what we will be proceeding with as there is still land hunger in South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.
As the expropriation bill is set to be discussed in the National Council of Provinces in the next few months, organised agriculture has opposed the bill. Ramaphosa indicated that the ANC was resolute in its commitment to equitable access to land to reverse apartheid disposition.
All eyes on National Council of Provinces
Wilken added, “From the beginning of 2018 after the 54th ANC conference resolution, the full parliamentary process took its course. FSA actively [opposed] the Constitutional Amendment Bill. On 7 December 2021, National Assembly rejected the second reading of the bill after not receiving a 75%+ vote in favour of the bill, therefore the 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill has lapsed.”
FSA will continue to closely monitor progress after the National Assembly passed the bill and sent it to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.
“If an opportunity again presents itself to fully engage the public participation process, we will do so,” said Wilken. “Free State Agriculture believes in market-based compensation that is just and equitable for land to be expropriated for the specific public good.”
Should the bill be pushed through by government with a just and equitable share not being paid to owner [whose land is expropriated], the farming organisation was ready to take the matter to court.
The law must take its course
Meanwhile, Saamtrek Saamwerk’s Northern Cape chairperson Sehularo reiterated that black farmers continue to fight for land and resources in South Africa.
“There are [people] who are eagerly waiting to farm, but have no land,” said Sehularo. “We are not pro or anti [land expropriation without compensation]. We just want the land to be given to people according to law.”
He added that government needed to release state land to farmers. “For instance, the department of public works has got many hectares. Let that land be given to farmers to farm. The land needs to be given to farmers not only to produce food but to also create jobs.”
‘When we farm, we do it for everyone’
TLU general manager Bennie van Zyl meanwhile lambasted Ramaphosa after he, during his ANC address, also condemned the manhandling of teenagers at a resort in Free State by white men.
“Mister president, you represent South Africa, a country that comprises citizens of different race, gender and age. When farmers plant seeds with the purpose to feed South Africans, they never do it with a preference to colour or race. Rather speak growth and progress over our beautiful country and remember that example is better than precept,” Van Zyl said.
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