Review committee pleased with first day of land hearings

A DELEGATION of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee on Tuesday commenced with the first public hearings in Springbok in the Northern Cape into the possible review of section 25 of the constitution to make expropriation of land without compensation possible.

Hundreds of members of the public attended to voice support for or opposition to the amendment.

The committee was instructed by the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces to ascertain whether a review of section 25 and other clauses was necessary to make it possible for the state to expropriate land in the public interest without compensation, and propose the necessary constitutional amendments where required.

The chairperson of the delegation and co-chairperson of the committee, Lewis Nzimande, said he was pleased with the progress on day one of the hearings and the turnout by the public.

He reminded the public that the committee would not accept written submissions during the hearings as they had had sufficient time to make such submissions to the committee. “We have heard the fears and concerns of those members of the public that are against an amendment of section 25 as they feel there is existing legislation to deal with land reform.

“We also heard those fierce supporters of an amendment to the constitution to make expropriation without compensation possible, especially to those who have suffered economically because of (the) historic past.

“The committee will take all oral submissions made into account when it deliberates on the matter.

“We want to thank all South Africans that came out to make submissions. It shows they want to be part of the positive development of our country and people.”

The hearings for this delegation in the Northern Cape are expected to continue today in Upington. Rajaa Azzakani Committee Media Officer