DA remains firm on the issue of land reform

Expropriation said to be populist tool

The DA has once again reiterated its stance on the land question, stating that it won’t reach a compromise with opposition parties on amending the constitution.

This comes as the constitutional review committee has been tasked with considering possible amendments to Section 25 and is only set to report back to the National Assembly on September 28. The committee will begin with public hearings at the end of the month.

“The DA is totally opposed to land expropriation without compensation, as we believe that Section 25 of the constitution adequately protects our property rights. We believe that property rights are the bedrock of a growing economy,” said Ina Cilliers, DA Gauteng MPL.

She was speaking to Sowetan after the land debate in the Gauteng legislature yesterday.

“The DA cannot compromise on the current provisions in the Constitution because it allows for expropriation under certain conditions. There’s no need to bring a populistic idea like expropriation without compensation into the frame.

“The reason why land reform failed is because of corruption, ineptitude, maladministration and because of a lack of political will, it’s not the Constitution’s fault, [so] there’s no need to change it,” she said.

However, the ANC in Gauteng says land expropriation without compensation must be implemented to bring people closer to economic opportunities.

“The ANC resolution also cautioned that in determining the legislative framework, we must make sure that we do not undermine future investments in the economy and damage agricultural productions or food security,” said Lindiwe Lasindwa, chairwoman of the portfolio committee on infrastructure development.