Cape Town — Afrikaans civil rights organisation, AfriForum, has made it clear to the African National Congress (ANC) that it will take legal action to protect private property rights in the country.
In a statement, the group said if President Cyril Ramaphosa signs the Expropriation Bill or tries to amend the Constitution, it would take legal action. This comes after the ANC indicated it would table proposed amendments to the Constitution to make expropriation without compensation, despite its participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“Just like the Bela Bill, AfriForum views attempts to dismantle private property rights and make expropriation without compensation possible as a clear red line, due to the economic destruction and constitutional rights violations that would result,” AfriForum’s Head of Public Relations, Ernest van Zyl, said.
AfriForum’s Ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development recently confirmed that out of a total of 64 354 land claims since 1998, 8 314 (12.9%) of successful claimants took possession of the land they sought, while the remaining 56 040 (87.1%) chose financial compensation.
A quick reminder before Afriforum fights for your private property rights again:
(yes, all of you🫵🏼🫵🏽🫵🏾🫵🏿)The ANC have spend R60bn on land reform.
Only 6.3% of land bought were redistributed.The government owns 17mil hectare.
The size of Mpumalanga(6%) and KZN(7.7%) combined.… pic.twitter.com/AdlKPZ8aFl— Heinz (@HeinzWakanda) December 9, 2024
Van Zyl said the proposed amendments would enable expropriation without compensation and the destruction of private property rights should be opposed tooth and nail.
“If the President signs the Expropriation Bill into law, AfriForum will announce its next steps to protect private property. AfriForum will also be the first organisation to take the government to court if it starts targeting private property for expropriation without compensation,” Van Zyl concluded.
According to SABC News, van Zyl expressed concern about the previous failed attempts to amend the constitution, showing expropriation without compensation, showed rejection.
“The strong reaction against any attempts to meddle with property and I think if they try it again, the reaction will be if not the same it will be even more intense. So, I don’t know exactly what they’re trying. It seems almost like a little bit of a ploy to try and create the impression that they are still the only sheriff in town,” van Zyl said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
