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land expropriation without compensationlatest news & developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the state of the nation address. (GCIS)
ANC

In Sona, Ramaphosa signals shift from crisis management to consolidation

For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address

  • Hasina Kathrada
7 min read
In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the president once again committed to economic revitalization. Photo: GCIS
ANC

Ramaphosa talks tough on gangs, corruption

The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining

  • Hasina Kathrada
6 min read
The government will extend the social relief of distress grant until 2025. Photo: Pieter Bauermeister/AFP
ANC

Basic income grant comes into sharp focus at ANC conference

The ruling party’s conference declaration has ignored the land expropriation without compensation bill

  • Lizeka Tandwa
6 min read
Ace Magashule. Photo by Mlungisi Louw/Gallo Images/Volksblad
ACE MAGASHULE

Expropriation without compensation: A proxy policy position

The land policy debate will feature, again, within the ANC’s elective contestations

  • Khaya Koko
4 min read
Back foot: After his expulsion from the ANC, Julius Malema went to Gold Fields’ mine near Carletonville to campaign for the nationalisation of mines. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANC YOUTH LEAGUE

Without the ANC, Malema is a ‘destroyer of confidence’ no more

As the ANC’s Youth League leader, Julius Malema spooked investors a decade ago by popularising calls to nationalise the mines

  • Sarah Smit
6 min read
Oral submission: The public hearings on amending the constitution’s Section 25 on land expropriation concluded in 2019 and a draft amendment bill is now being deliberated. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANC

Section 25: ANC snubs EFF after negotiations impasse

The ANC is searching for alternatives to end months of negotiations with the EFF on the land question

  • Lizeka Tandwa
6 min read
A member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) (C) gestures during a confrontation with farmers in Senekal, South Africa, on October 16, 2020, ahead of the appearance of suspects in the Senekal Magistrates Court for the murder case of 22-year-old farm manager Brendin Horner. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
ANC
Video

Does the Expropriation Bill muddy the land question even further?

Land ownership and its equitable distribution has floundered. Changes to a section of the constitution and the expropriation act are now before parliament, but do they offer any…

  • Luke Feltham
15 min read
US Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Lana Marks. (Alon Skuy)
DONALD TRUMP

‘We’re satisfied with SA’s land reform policy’— US Ambassador

Top US official is lobbying multinational firms to invest in South Africa

  • Sarah Smit
5 min read
Public interest: People queue to attend a public hearing in Kimberley on land expropriations. The ANC’s national executive committee decided at its lekgotla earlier this month that the courts should not be involved in the process of determining compensation for expropriated land. (Paul Botes/M&G)
ANC

ANC execs want land power

Experts say, however, that the executive already has authority and this latest move is politicking

  • Thando Maeko
5 min read
Two changes are to be made for a court to determine how much must be paid for expropriated land. (Paul Botes/M&G)
AGRISA

Courts to guide land expropriation

Two bits of law need to be approved before a court can decide if land owners will be compensated

  • Thando Maeko
6 min read
In its new report, Freedom Under Law says the caseload of the apex court has tripled, leading to delayed judgments that negatively affect public confidence in the judiciary (Renata Larroyd)
AUBREY LEDWABA

Constitutional Court strikes down part of the Intimidation Act

The judgment, striking down the apartheid-era legislation, is a victory for freedom of expression

  • Franny Rabkin
4 min read
Unreformed: Redistribution, restitution and tenure, the three pillars of land reform, have failed to redress the inequalities created by colonial and apartheid governments. (Paul Botes)
DEREK HANEKOM

Search for ways to stop the land slide

Experts say an area-based approach is needed, but district and local government are not on board

  • Monty J. Roodt
8 min read
Although both manifestos begin with an endorsement for an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution, the solutions they propose are starkly different. (Paul Botes/M&G)
ANC

The land wars of 2019: Analysing the EFF and ANC manifestos

The ANC proposes to continue working with large agricultural businesses, an approach that has to date marginalised small-scale farmers

  • Tembeka Ngcukaitobi
12 min read
The party — founded in 2013 after the expulsion of Malema and others from the ANC — has acted as a kingmaker in municipalities around the country. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)
ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

EFF manifesto calls for scrapping of the tender system to eliminate corruption

The manifesto incorporates the party’s seven cardinal pillars — including land redistribution without compensation

  • Paddy Harper
1 min read
The courts have continued to order, legally, mass evictions, in effect undermining the validity of ‘land expropriation without compensation’ and ultimately disconnecting the land reform programme from the housing crisis. (David Harrison/M&G)
1913 LAND ACT

Housing crisis inextricably entwined with land occupations

Land expropriation can only take place politically and unrestrained by the law

  • Staff Reporter
8 min read
Parliament says there’ll be no rush to finalise an amendment to section 25 of the Constitution — to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation — before the legislature dissolves before the elections. (David Harrison/M&G)
CONSTITUTION

No rush to fast-track expropriation Bill

​Parliament says there’ll be no rush to finalise an amendment to section 25 of the Constitution before the legislature dissolves before the elections

  • Lester Kiewit
3 min read
Tightrope walker: Cyril Ramaphosa won by a narrow margin at the ANC national conference at Nasrec, Johannesburg in December 2017, and still faces opposition from inside his own party.(Oupa Nkosi/M&G)
BILL OF RIGHTS

Watershed political wars lie ahead

South Africans can expect another exciting year: elections, land reform without compensation, Zondo inquiry revelations and court cases

  • Paddy Harper
7 min read
Wind of change: The land issue raised people’s emotions. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

The land: SA’s unifying and divisive issue

The land hearings of 2018 were fraught, emotive discussions of a matter of national importance

  • Lucas Ledwaba
8 min read
The strike fund reserves are now depleted, however it is alleged that not all the Samwu branches and members have received their pre-approved payouts. (David Harrison/M&G)
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Land expropriation decision an EFF victory, but what about the landless?

The EFF needs to work with the ANC to get the two-thirds majority required to amend section 25 of the Constitution

  • Lucas Ledwaba
3 min read
Now that the report has been adopted, a member of the executive or a member of the National Assembly can introduce a Bill to amend the section. (David Harrison/M&G)
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Land constitutional amendment recommendation gets greenlight from NCOP

Eight provinces voted in favour, and one province voted against the process to amend Section 25 of Constitution

  • Gemma Ritchie
4 min read