Hundreds flock to land hearing in Mthatha

Land expropriation should not only involve farmland but all land and water and the country’s minerals.

This call was made during a heated hearing held by the Constitutional Review Committee on Monday in a packed Mthatha City Hall.

Some wanted land given to traditional leaders, others to the state. Some supported expropriation without compensation, others not.

Hundreds travelled from Alfred Nzo, Butterworth, Centane, Mbizana, Mount Fletcher and Tsomo to the hearing.

The Mthatha hearing was the 22nd and there are now nine more to go. The committee moves to Komani on Wednesday and the Orient Theatre in East London on Thursday.

Most of the arguments on Monday came from representatives of Azapo, the DA, PAC, ANC, EFF, Azapo, African Change Academy, Contralesa and agricultural organisations.

There was significant support for land to be given to traditional leaders.

Committee chair Lewis Nzimande said it was hard to define a mainstream opinion, and all views had been aired without any intimidation.

He said many argued expropriation should be executed on the basis that the land remains productive to ensure food security and a healthy economy, while others want more than agricultural land – they want the entire surface of South Africa, the minerals below that surface and those in the ocean.

Of the political parties, only the DA did not support expropriation without compensation or a constitutional amendment.