No ‘Zim route’ to resolving land issue, says Zuma

SOUTH AFRICA will deal with the thorny issue of land reform in a legal way and will not go the Zimbabwe route.

This is according to President Jacob Zuma, who yesterday repeated his call for a constitutional amendment to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.

Zuma was responding to a debate in the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) where a number of issues were raised with him, ranging from crime to the burning land question.

ANC MPs last month rejected a motion by the EFF for the constitution to be changed to allow for expropriation of land without compensation.

The move revealed divisions in the ANC in this regard, with Zuma and senior leaders sending out different messages.

Zuma said yesterday that resolving the land issue was central to the achievement of real reconciliation.

He said South Africa needed to use democratic methods to address the limitations of the constitution if it did not adequately address the issue.

“If we go the Zimbabwe route then it will be a problem.

“We are saying we must do everything within the law.

“We are not saying let us now go and take the land. We are saying let us amend the constitution,” he said.

“That is not anything wrong. Constitutions are amended all the time.

“We are even saying let us audit the land and therefore deal with the period we did not deal with it. From my point of view, it is correct.”

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said expropriation without compensation would put reconciliation, peace and investment at risk.

NHTL deputy chairman Sipho Mahlangu said the amendment of the constitution was the way to go.

Zuma said the only way to deal with land was not to fight.

“It’s absolutely important that some of these issues we keep in mind. I’m happy the traditional leaders have dealt with this issue very effectively.”