EFF: Land expropriation needs more publicity

The EFF accused Parliament on Tuesday of not giving enough publicity to the amendments to Art. 25 of the Constitution recently published in the Government Gazette.

This amendment enables expropriation without compensation.

The EFF says in a statement Parliament has made the situation worse by publishing it shortly before Christmas.

The closing date for public comment is January 31.

The EFF, which is one of the driving forces behind expropriation without compensation, has called on its supporters and communities, “progressive people, formations and organizations” to comment on the amendments in large numbers.

The party says if expropriation without compensation becomes a reality, it will be a historic victory needed to “liberate the country from colonialism”.

The process of sec. 25 of the Constitution began after the ANC decided in December 2017 in Nasrec, Johannesburg.

Nation divided

The ANC is deeply divided over it.

Annelize Crosby, land chief of Agri SA, said earlier that public participation in the process was critical. Therefore, the public should be encouraged to comment on the proposed amendment.

Agri SA is one of the agricultural organizations as opposed to the change of the Constitution.

“Agri SA had earlier asked for a longer period for comments discussed in the (parliamentary) ad hoc committee, but this was refused,” Crosby said.

Prof. Elmien du Plessis, an expert on expropriation legislation attached to the North-West University in Potchefstroom, also said it was important for the public to participate in the process because the Constitution is affected by the changes.

“Public participation is an important aspect of the procedure. This is not just a ticking exercise. When you participate, you never know if you will have an influence. If you don’t participate, you definitely know, ”says Du Plessis.

“However, people should guard against filling out forms on websites and rather send individual emails.”

Among other things, the DA and the FF Plus are opposed to the amendment, while AfriForum started a public recruitment campaign against the amendment of the Constitution.

TAU SA said earlier that it was preparing for a court battle “to assist landowners in expropriation cases without compensation”. They already begun receiving recommendations at an international level and from international legal experts.