U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized South Africa’s Expropriation Act for potential land confiscation in a February 5 post. Former President Donald Trump echoed these concerns, stating the law targets unfair land acquisition. Despite Ramaphosa’s assurances that no land has been confiscated, the new law allows for property to be taken without compensation, marking a significant change from previous land reform policies.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via a February 5 post on X that he will not attend the G20 summit in South Africa, criticizing the recent Expropriation Act that allows the government to expropriate private property. This law, signed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on January 24, has drawn significant national and international backlash, including remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the South African government of unjust land confiscation.
Ramaphosa refuted these claims on February 3, asserting that his administration has not confiscated land and that the Expropriation Act is a legal framework aimed at equitable public land access. He characterized it as a constitutionally required process rather than a means of land theft. However, the law does permit the government to take land without compensation, which critics argue contradicts Ramaphosa’s assurances.
The Expropriation Act marks a departure from the previous land reform strategy based on voluntary transactions between sellers and buyers. It introduces the definition of “expropriation” as necessitated property acquisition for public good. By doing so, it aims to address historical inequities embedded in land ownership, particularly those stemming from apartheid-era policies, which historically favored white land ownership.
The legislation allows for the analysis of historic land acquisition practices to facilitate restitution for those deprived of their property as a result of discriminatory laws after June 19, 1913. The Native Land Act of 1913 had severely restricted Black South Africans from land ownership, and efforts have since been made to correct these injustices since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Although approximately 7% of South Africa’s population is white, they control over 70% of privately owned farmland. The new Expropriation Act prohibits arbitrary deprivation of property while granting the government authority to acquire land for diverse purposes like infrastructure and land reform, according to chapter two of the law. It is noteworthy that discussions about constitutional amendments for land expropriation without compensation had been ongoing since February 2018.
The South African government maintains that it is committed to a land restitution process that encourages agricultural productivity and investment. This ongoing dialogue about land reform seeks to rectify historical injustices, aiming to democratize land ownership and empower marginalized communities in South Africa.
The Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, allows for the confiscation of private property for public purposes, a significant change from the previous ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ policy. This law has become a focal point for debate regarding land rights, equity, and restitution in a country still grappling with the impacts of apartheid. The law aims to address historic land injustices but has faced criticism for potentially leading to state-sanctioned land grabs without compensation.
The Expropriation Act represents a decisive shift in South Africa’s approach to land reform, enabling the government to confiscate property for public use. While it aims to correct historical injustices caused by apartheid policies, the law raises concerns about arbitrary land takings without compensation. As the nation navigates its complex legacy, the balancing of land access, agricultural productivity, and rights remains a contentious issue warranting careful management.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
